Tools to help EVERYONE locate, purchase and eat locally grown foods

We're proud to share that our upcoming software is being released with new functionality this fall, so that a group of Maryland farms can post their products and consumers of all kinds can view and select food products that are available from Maryland farms.  please check with www.localfoodmd.com  and use the link to FarmsReach.com  to try out this system.  The system will allow buyers to view and select which farms they want to order from,  but it will also allow for searches by specific food products so that the buyer can choose between different farms if they want food from one particular area of if they like one or more farm's philosophy or particular farming habits ( environmental, animal concerns, organic, natural, etc).   DELIVERY OPTIONS for each farm will be identified,  so that no farm is forced to participate in our delivery program to the Washington or Baltimore metro areas,  but so that the consumer can find pick-up points or existing retail stores or co-ops that carry that farm's products.   We feel that so many consumers WANT to buy local but sometimes have trouble fitting pick-ups into their day-to-day schedules.  Consumers can quickly spot farms' hours of retail operations as well as public events  for times when a family wants to visit the farm where their food is coming from.   We want those folks to know their farmer like you might know your doctor,  dentist, accountant or lawyer. As the USDA program says " Know your Farmer; Know your Food".  Stay tuned for software updates, and enjoy this season's bounty from wherever you are.

More Local, More Often

We're thrilled to have connected with dozens more meat producers in Central and Western Maryland this spring.  We look forward to bringing online new coolers and other food storage locations to make the great local food available all during the growing season and beyond into winter 2010-2011.    Stay tuned and visit  www.localfoodmd.org

What are you local food plans for 2010

Consider how you will locate and include more locally grown foods in your summer 2010 diet.     We've started by increasing the size and content of our home garden,  and by trying to learn where all the local farms are located.  This weekend at Boonsboro MD GreenFest  we learned about lots of vendors -- farms, bakers, herb-growers,  soap makers and lots of other great " local" products.    It's amazing how many people are doing great things close to home for all of us.   We are working on software and tools to connects buyers with growers and www.localfoodmd.org  has a connection to FarmsReach which  can create an online community for any market area in America. Check it out and let us know what you think of it!

Online Shopping vs. Delivery options for 2010

I've had a number of discussions with people this winter about whether it would be easier to locate sources of " local food"  if a website featured listings of food products, farming techniques and other info in a place devoted only to local food.  While many farms feel that their current website introduces customers to their farming practices, products, location, etc.  many have agreed that some potential customers may not be finding their website and thus may not know that they offer the fine products they do.   So, we are continuing our work to examine software packages that can allow each farm to display,  without adding alot of maintenance work for them ( updating product availability, mainly) but also feeding new customer introductions to them.   Consumers are showing so much interest in local food,  but as their definitions vary --- some want food grown in their immediate 10 mile radius only, while others are in search of specific products that they are surprised to find within the state.  So keep googling farms, by name, by area, by products and let us know if the tools that we post are helpful..... Visit  localfoodmd.org for new informaion this spring

Local Food Avenues Growing

The local food distribution system is growing in 2010.
We expect to have new software tools connected to www.localfoodmd.net that will allow you to search for items that local farms are producing this year. We hope to have farms inputting their 2010 crop expectations by March 2010

Stay tuned

Social Media vs. the real world - promotion of something new

We're trying to cover bases so that you find us on Twitter, Google, Facebook, etc  but we know that what really creates business and beneficial activity  is to find the information you are looking for.   In January 2010, we are spreading the word about Local Food MD.  Our software is in place,  but we need growers and food providers to agree to enter their expected 2010 crops and products which will be available for purchase this year.... Pls send us a note if you are intrigued,  either as a grower --- a provider of food in our region;  or as a buyer, whether an individual or a member of a CSA or other buyer group.  Our goal is simple -  to help people find where to purchase that locally grown and locally provided food you are looking for,   for your institution's need, the next social event ( catered food to be sourced locally)  and for your family.   What you want, might just be grown within a few miles of where you are..... we are building a system to help you find it in 2010 !!