“It’s all about buying local.”
Tracy Durfee, Member of First Presbyterian Church
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| Veggies & fresh eggs anyone? Photographer: Nigel Wedge |
Buy local. It’s more than a catch phrase bandied about by politicians or a slogan slapped on a billboard. It’s darn good advice . . . especially when it comes to locally grown fruits and veggies. But farmers markets in small towns often struggle getting folks to buy into the message and buy up their produce. In Cottage Grove, Oregon (population 9,187), the First Presbyterian Church is doing something about that. For the last three years they’ve hosted a “Meet My Farmer” event after Sunday worship. It's a chance for farmers to display their bounty, visitors to snack on home-grown goodies, and relationship building to begin. It’s working. Visitors and farmers alike packed this year’s get-together—the biggest one so far. Farmers offered everything from onions and eggs to homemade sweet treats and smoked salmon. A couple of growers provided information about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, which allow customers to “subscribe” to a weekly supply of produce. And one grape grower ended up with a extra-special customer: First Presbyterian has selected his bottled grape juice to be used in its communion services. In choosing a local grower, church leaders are simply practicing what they preach.
Read the Article ® Event features produce from its producers
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