Depending on where you’re located, there may be local farms that will sell you cheaper and fresher produce than other distributors. We encourage you to visit our Vendors page to check out all food distributors and explore their options, but it is also worth exploring local farms.

Small farmers often have a co-op program where they give surplus produce to subscribers every week for a discounted price. It is difficult for farmers to send some produce to supermarkets due to an imperfect shape or appearance, but if you’re planning on cutting it up or mixing it into something, the shape doesn’t matter. See if you can work with local farmers to get their imperfect looking products at a discounted price. They’ll win from selling their extras and you’ll win by getting quality, fresh food and cheaper prices.

Look also into community farms or agricultural centers, as they will often have discounts for local businesses on everything from eggs to honey.

Even if you cannot get a discount from a local producer, it may still be worth buying from them over large distributors. Many customers will be attracted by locally-sourced food, both because it is fresher and because it contributes economically to the local community. A farm-to-table restaurant will attract those looking to eat healthy, and they’ll often pay a bit more money for the guarantee of freshness.

Check out local Vendors in your community for more information 

NEXT SECTION: Creating Effective Signs