We’re learning that there is nothing like a pandemic to drive home the importance of a robust, regional food system and the healthy, safe, local food such a system can dish up. We’ve heard recently, for example, about a surge in demand for local food that can be delivered or picked up from the farm, as well as grocers turning to local food suppliers as they struggle to stay well stocked. Future Harvest (a.k.a. Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture) closely follows the pulse of agriculture in the Chesapeake region and has adapted quickly to get this comprehensive portal out to customers.
Our local farming community is stretched extremely tight right now. As I talk to farmers and research local farms and food, I'm hearing about businesses unable to take on new customers, or having to limit quantities to be able to supply everyone. Not to mention the challenges our farmers face in adhering to stringent health regulations with COVID-19, but they follow extraordinarily safe protocol at all times in Maryland.
Due to a surge in demand for local food that can be delivered or picked up from the farm, as well as grocers turning to local food suppliers as they struggle to stay well-stocked, Future Harvest is working with Maryland Farmers Market Association (MDFMA), Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), and Delmarva Grown to provide you with this directory of local food resources for direct sales to consumer.
Please remember: do not just show up at a farm; make sure to call or email first. At this time, regulations specify farms will have your order ready to be picked up curbside before you enter the farm.
What’s included here? Several farmers’ markets and their traditional open seasons (note that due to COVID-19 state executive orders, the congregation of farmers’ markets is postponed until further notice); On-Farm Pickups; CSAs; online options; and more to come, including farm stores and wineries.
Please note this is a work in progress and will be updated frequently.
If you don’t see your favorite farm, call them and tell them to quickly fill out the form to be listed in an update on our Open For Business page.
https://www.futureharvestcasa.org/resources/find-farmer-or-market-map
Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Buy Fresh Buy Local
Here is the organized guide (pdf ) separated into categories. Now is the time to buy direct from farmers! Use these Guides to find a farm near you in the Mid Atlantic:
Amazing Grazing Directory
Comprehensive listing of grass-based farms in the Chesapeake that sell directly to consumers. Local Sources for Grass-fed Meat, Poultry and Dairy Products in DE, MD, VA, and WV https://www.futureharvestcasa.org/amazing-grazing-directory
PDF version: https://futureharvestcasa.org/sites/default/files/files/FINALlow-resAmazing%20Grazing_ms.pdf
Farmers Markets
Anne Arundel County Riva Road Farmers Market Sundays 10-1:00 Be sure to follow Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market, Inc on Facebook to see which markets are open and what will be available: https://www.aacofarmersmarket.com https://www.facebook.com/1417422955227963/posts/2307666172870299/?d=n Baltimore’s 32nd Street Farmers Market E 32nd St & Barclay St, Baltimore Saturdays 7am-12pm all year long! You might just bump into John Shields there talking to the farmers while shooting a video! (Worth looking him up if his name is new to you.) http://www.32ndstreetmarket.org FRESHFARM Markets The link is quite extensive, so you'll have to cull through to see which ones might be near you. http://freshfarm.org/shopping-alternatives.html
Ways To Help
- Make purchasing from your local farmers an ongoing habit, not just in times of crisis!
- Contribute to American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Relief Fund, which will help directly support farmers impacted by the current crisis. Also ask your farmer about gift certificates!
- Purchasing gift cards from your favorite local businesses is a great way to provide immediate support to small businesses during this crisis.
Eastern Shore CSAs
Here is a partial list of local Eastern Shore farms that offer CSA programs.
Abundant Grace Farms Denton, MD Email: Brian.abundantgracefarms@gmail.com Phone: 443-786-6856 Website: www.abundantgracefarms.com Black Bottom Farm Collective, LLC 12810 Black Bottom Road Galena, Maryland Email: blackbottomfarmsllc@gmail.com Phone: 443-962-0764 Cottingham Farms 28038 Goldsborough Neck Road Easton, MD Email: Cleo@cottinghamfarm.com Phone: 443-463-1298 Website: cottinghamfarm.com Calliope Organic Farm Stock Creek Lane Salisbury, MD 21801 202-716-0217 calliopefarmandgarden.com Galena Blooms Farm Galena, MD Phone: 443-480-2740 Green Farm Produce, Naturals & Meats 200 Green Farm Lane Centreville, MD Phone: 410-320-1741 Greenbranch Organic Farm 5075 Nutters Cross Rd Salisbury, MD Phone: 443-783-3495 Website: www.greenbranchfarm.com Homestead Farms, Inc. 2250 Millington Road Millington, MD Phone: 410-490-7038 Jacks Market 26828 Ocean Gateway Hebron, MD Phone: 410-749-1889 Jade Farm Chesapeake City, MD Email: jadefarmcc@gmail.com Phone: 410-419-5855 Website: http://www.jadefarmcc.com/ Marsh Creek Cattle & Co 4014 poplar neck rd Preston, MD Phone: 4109241734 Email: marshcreekcattleco@gmail.com Oksana‘s Produce Farm 2517 McGinnes Road Chestertown, MD Email: oksanaboch89@gmail.com Phone: 410-487-1925 Website: http://www.oksanasproduce.com/ Priapi Gardens 5996 Augustine Herman Hwy Cecilton, MD Phone: 410-275-9438 Website: www.priapigardens.com Taylors Fresh Organics 4723 Houston Branch Road Federalsburg, MD Phone: 443-205-0617 Website: www.taylorsfreshorganics.com Three Maples Farm 210 Chesnut Tree Road Hebron, MD Phone: 410-546-3853 Wallin Organic Farm 2130 Cecilton -Warwick Rd Warwick, MD Phone: 410-755-6677 Website: http://www.wallinorganicfarm.com/
Online Selling Options
Several websites to help you navigate available produce, meats, and goods sold online, plus additional CSA options and SNAP benefits information.
https://www.food4all.com/sell-food-online-csa-software/
https://share.vidyard.com/watch/upnfRGc9Rv8unzFUKDTQrm
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEXHdNU0WfQhjmCfBgVE9iIPqd37IEP8Cr1nsIAh5MM1mXcA/viewform
venmo: https://venmo.com/?gclsrc=aw.ds&
CSA/Delivery Options:
https://www.farmerswagon.org/?fbclid=IwAR0VNQhO5Km_xa96G06VxjDyPJTbKwRHPY-APHyIResxUkYhpx7aBAvSRVY
Food Access:
SNAP: https://mdfoodbank.org/hunger-in-maryland/approach/programs/snap-outreach/
#MDWine is Essential
What do we mean?
Maryland's wine industry is tremendously impacted by current social distancing guidance related to COVID-19. Fortunately, our members are considered essential businesses in Maryland.
If you're planning to purchase wine during this time, we ask that you consider supporting the Maryland wine industry and the more than 100 small local businesses making wine for you.
There has never been a more critical time to support #MDWine.
Visit THIS LINK for updated information regarding carryout, shipping, and delivery options from Maryland's wineries. There has never been a more critical time to support #MDWine.
