Direct Farm Sales & Farmers’ Markets – Making a Difference in Texas
Discover > Farm to Table Eating in Texas > Direct Farm Sales & Farmers’ Markets – Making a Difference in Texas
Instead of bringing fresh produce and meat to the market, some agripreneurs in Texas are now opting for the customer to come to the produce. This system has been made possible through schemes such as CSA programs. These kinds of sales are called Direct Farm Sales.
After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted food supply chains, people increasingly turned to local farmers and ranchers to purchase their fruits, veggies, meat, and more. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) recently introduced a new campaign, Direct from Texas, to encourage consumers to spend their dollars on locally sourced products.
Selling directly to the public allows Texas farmers and ranchers to avoid delays in distribution chains and reach consumers first hand, all while maximizing their profits.
Here, Direct from Texas provides local agricultural producers with yet another avenue to interact with their customers quickly and safely, with the purchaser getting hold of deliciously fresh Texas produce. Everyone’s a winner!
A list of Texas farmers and ranchers selling all kinds of wonderful produce to the public is now available online at TDA’s GO TEXAN website. The GO TEXAN program celebrates, promotes, and supports all things Texas agriculture.
As COVID-19 continues to affect rural populations across Texas, the ability for farmers and ranchers to sell directly to consumers means that the food supply can stay strong, despite interruptions to processing, packaging, or distribution.
So, let’s have a look at what exactly Direct Farm Sales are, how they work, and how beneficial they are to the Texan community as a whole.
What are Direct Farm Sales?
Essentially, farmers’ markets and direct farm sales are sales points for producers to sell directly to local consumers without manipulative supermarket systems intervening. You can purchase your food from a market, where local food producers show off their goods, or you visit a farm and buy straight from their shop. And in U-pick season, you can choose to pick the produce yourself! Some Texas farms have a café, a home delivery service, or even a CSA plan. But whatever the arrangements may be, all of these are brilliant ways to get local food to local people directly.
What are Online Direct Farm Sales?
Online Direct Farm Sales refer to when a farm sells their goods directly through their website, offering you a home delivery service or the chance to come and pick up the produce yourself.
Are Direct Farm Sales and Online Direct Farm Sales Anything New?
No way! Community food markets and farm sales have always been around. In the past, produce was always bartered for some other crop. Farmers’ markets were the only kind of markets out there until corporate stores started taking over. The global trend inclines towards corporate dominance of the food system, making this reverse trend towards local food and direct sales all the more crucial.
How helpful are Texas Direct Farm Sales?
Needless to say, the convenience of buying food is essential for many.
While consumers still look to buy food and farm products that are organically grown, environmentally friendly, and beneficial to the local economy, if they can’t find them conveniently, it all counts for nothing. So after a long day at work, people are looking for online food ordering options that have more of a “click-of-the-button” approach.
During the pandemic, two notable things occurred. First, many shoppers switched to online shopping. And secondly, they also became more focused on supporting healthy, local food options, as empty grocery shelves shone a light on the real risk of a failing food chain system.
With the pandemic now (hopefully!) receding, some customers are naturally shifting back to in-person food purchases. However, there seems to be a continued increase in e-commerce fresh produce sales and direct sales.
Benefits of Texas Direct Farm Sales
There are numerous benefits to Texas Direct Farm Sales for both the producer and the consumer. Here are some advantages to consider if you’re thinking about buying straight from the farmer:
Benefits of Texas Direct Farm Sales for Consumers
Seasonal, fresh, local produce reduces food travel by a considerable margin.
Little to no packaging waste.
Less refrigeration is needed.
Acts against the commercial escalation of agriculture – you can help sustain small, organic farms rather than large, monoculture farming lands.
Small-scale farms utilize animal compost and require fewer pesticides, as a rotating crop harbors fewer pests.
Close interactions with local food producers.
Much more fulfilling than supermarket shopping.
Pick-your-own is an excellent way to get in touch with nature.
Many agripreneurs offer vacationing farm stays, a cafeteria, or even a gift shop featuring their own handcrafted artisanal products.
Benefits of Texas Direct Farm Sales for Producers
Direct sales cut out the need for a middle man, meaning profits come back to the farmer. This way, they can withdraw from unfair supermarket deals.
Less waste – again, because supermarkets prefer perfect-looking produce.
Reduced costs or no transport costs at all for farm pickups.
The chance to receive direct reviews from the public about their customer experiences.
Opportunities to add new streams of income.
While there are many advantages to Direct Farm Sales, the scheme is not for every Texas farm. Farmers may have to consider the farm’s location, accessibility, legal regulations, liabilities regarding inviting people onto the farm, as well as marketing and advertising costs.
What can I do as a consumer to support Direct Farm Sales in Texas?
Purchase as much as you can from farms and farmers’ markets. Visit them on the regular and develop a relationship with the people who grow your food, rather than supporting systems whose policies hurt farmers, consumers, and the environment.
If you want to become a farmers market vendor, click here.
Looking for fresh, grass-fed meat delivery in Texas? Check these 9 Farms Providing Fresh Grass-Fed Meat Delivery in Texas
