On Eve of Farmers Markets, Other Organic Options Are Available

When I first read a June 2008 blog entry about eating local for healthy living, it got my gears turning. For me, having healthy options readily available and available at their flavor-peak are key to ultimately having a healthy diet, and incidentally, feeling good. When buying local, thankfully those two criteria are becoming easier to use.

Sure, we don’t live in Florida or California, where year-round produce is a fact of life. Still, West St. Louis County has some very popular farmers markets such as the Kirkwood Farmer’s Market opening this Saturday, April 9, and the Ellisville Farmer’s Market on Thursdays starting in June. Larger, local supermarkets such as Schnucks also are touting their commitment to local produce. Dierberg’s even identifies locally-grown food with license-plate signs, calling it their “Local Route.”

Conscientious consumers also want to consider how it their produce was grown. For anyone worried about pesticides, the website LocalHarvest.org can help you find organic, local food producers by zip code and city.

One of the featured Localharvest.org vendors is Sandy Brooks of Finer Things here in West St. Louis County. Brooks raises bees for honey and wax products. She also makes confections using products from local creameries, and does sell her products for pickup or shipment.

“The beauty of buying local [is that it] gives the consumer the option of buying at the peak of nutrition and flavor, the knowledge that the food is as minimally processed as possible and the ability to support the local economy,” Brooks said.

Localharvest.org also offers Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares that deliver to Ellisville and Ballwin. Subscribers specify a desired farm in his or her area, and depending on the schedule of delivery, often have a variety of local produce all summer long. Not only does that avoid waiting in line or driving to the store, but subscribers are exposed to various fruits and veggies they may not have tried.

If you’re willing to maintain a garden – a great option for the freshest produce – you can pick up starter plants right now at Stuckmeyer’s Farm Market & Greenhouse, another farmers market close to the Ballwin-Ellisville area. 

Lettuces are coming in season right now, with radishes and green onions also close to being available, said Linda Stuckmeyer of Stuckmeyer’s. Shortly after, broccoli, cauliflower, peas and strawberries (likely in June) will be locally in season.  

Stuckmeyer’s also holds family events, such as a mother’s day gift event, where children can paint a small plant gift, giving an extra bonus to shopping for fresh food.

Mansfield Nursery in Ellisville will also be selling fresh produce later this month, which they started doing in 2009.

If joining a CSA seems like too big of a commitment to start with, you can always have produce delivered to your home to get you on your way. Sunfarm delivery offers local and organic options.