ediblecentraloregon.com | 17 Agricultural Connections is your online Agricultural Connections is your online farmers market, a one-stop shop with farmers market, a one-stop shop with local local produce, meats, and more! produce, meats, and more! local produce, meats, and more! CAN’T MAKE THE CAN’T MAKE THE MARKET? MARKET? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. produce boxes produce boxes a la carte a la carte groceries groceries locally owned locally owned pick up & delivery pick up & delivery around Central Oregon around Central Oregon use code: LOCAL20 for 20% off your first nonsubscription order www.agriculturalconnections.com e were often empty, our local farmers were still here, growing food and showing up for the community. It was a powerful reminder that having farms close to home matters. During that time, I saw more people connect the dots between supporting local farmers and building community resilience. Buying from a farmers market was not just a nice thing to do; it was a way to invest in the people who help feed us when times get hard. There was a real sense of appreciation for the role local agriculture plays in our everyday lives. I also think the market became an even more important gathering place. After so much isolation, people were hungry for connection as much as they were for fresh food. Farmers markets offered both. My hope is that we hold on to those lessons. Supporting local farms should not just happen during a crisis. It is something that strengthens our economy, protects farmland, keeps dollars in the community, and helps ensure we have a resilient food system for whatever comes next. One thing I’d love the public to know is that farmers markets are one of the most direct and meaningful ways to support local agriculture. When you shop at a market, more of your dollars stay with the farmer or food producer, which helps small businesses survive and keeps farmland in production here in Central Oregon. I also hope people realize how much work and risk goes into farming in our region. Our growers are working through drought, unpredictable weather, rising costs, and short growing seasons. Choosing to buy local, even just a few items each week, can make a real difference for farms operating on very slim margins. Another important thing to know is that markets are for everyone! You do not need to do all your shopping there or spend a lot of money to participate. Start small, ask questions, try something seasonal, and get to know the people growing your food. And as I mentioned, many of our nonprofit markets also offer programs like SNAP matching and other food access options to help make fresh local food more affordable. Most of all, I’d encourage people to think of supporting farmers as a year-round habit. Visit year-round farmers markets like Central Oregon Locavore, join a winter CSA with Rainshadow Organics or Agricultural Connections, shop farm stands, and choose local products whenever you can. Photos by Whitney Whitehouse/Bend Farmers Market
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==