Column: Fresh and local is a click away
{Contributed photo/Ken Lack}
Piedmont Fresh offers locally produced food and products to neighbors
I have been a proponent of locally sourced products before it was a thing. Although people might describe me as frugal, I wouldn't hesitate to spend a little extra to keep it close to home. After all, frugality isn't about being cheap with one's money, it's about being wise with it.
When the farmer's market gained popularity in Lexington, it was time to take advantage of the locally sourced concept. I mean, what's better than meeting the people who actually produce their offerings? Who wouldn't want to stroll through and chat with them? There is the added bonus of running into neighbors and friends one hasn't seen in a while (which is one of the niceties I love about living in a smaller city).
So, with all the positives, why wasn't I there each week to participate in the locally sourced, farm-fresh, magazine-cover worthy, mouthwatering products? Well, truth be told, after working Monday through Friday, I enjoy spending my Saturday mornings in my easy chair, wearing my bathrobe and playing with my dog. I'm not one of those ever-adventurous people who wants to accomplish 10 different tasks over my weekends. When it comes to doing as little as possible on my day off, I excel at it. But each week, while sitting in my bed clothes and throwing a ball into the other room for Cujo to fetch, I would see posts on social media of all the wonderful items I was missing at the market. But last week, my couch potato crisis got pleasantly shifted into virtual shopping when I discovered Piedmont Fresh, a program launched by the Davidson County Local Food Network.
According to its website, “Piedmont Fresh brings locally grown and produced food to consumers in a cost-effective manner on a weekly basis. Piedmont Fresh makes it possible for farmers to work together, scale their farms responsibly and meet the growing demand for local, sustainable food in the Piedmont area.” What a great idea, providing a win/win situation for producers, consumers and the local economy!
I immediately subscribed to the site. Each Saturday at noon, the products being offered for the weekly cycle are posted and continue through the weekend. Simply click through the informative website (which is loaded with pictures and information about the products and the producers), add what you want to your cart and your order is ready for pick up at convenient locations/times in Thomasville and Lexington. The final total is charged to whatever card you have on file, and the farm-fresh food I ordered was in my car on the way home from the office on Thursday. There was no waiting, just a smiling face from a representative handing me my items.
If you have been to a farmer's market, you already know about the high quality of the products. If you haven't been, you will be amazed by the look and flavors of the vegetables, fruits and meat, and the variety of home-made products such as soaps. I'm warning you right now that when in season and once you've tried it, you won't want to go back to your supermarket for these products. And yes, I said MEAT. This isn't some hippy-dippy vegan transcendental market, oh no. There are offerings on a lot of stuff that is sinfully delicious as well.
I'm told Piedmont Fresh has implemented a similar program that the farmer's market does, accepting SNAP-EBT for those who receive food assistance. This wonderful program opens up affordability and access to the flavorful food alternatives one simply can't get at the local supermarket. I'm also told folks receiving assistance should look out for matching funds through this program (like they do at the farmer's market). I'm sure they will put the information up as soon as it's available.
There are programs for those who don't receive assistance, like receiving 10 percent matching funds when enrolling with a subscription, committing to between $50-$500 each cycle. This not only earns the discount, but automatically reorders what you want, when you want it. I only wish they would offer lower weekly subscriptions for single people. But they are new, and growing (pun intended), and will continue to become even more accessible.
Be kind and patient when placing your first order. Keep in mind that Piedmont Fresh has recently started this service and there are definitely bumps along the way. But the problems I encountered were minor and immediately addressed and resolved completely. They do welcome constructive feedback and are working to make this run smoothly.
I'm happy to say I've already whipped up a huge pot of fresh collards, with some purple mustard greens tossed in because … well … I never had purple mustard greens. OMG, it came out so delicious (pics posted). And, in the spirit of using everything Mother Nature provided, all those collard stems I removed got chopped up along with some onion and jalapeno and made into a spicy relish.
I have beef brisket (perfect with that relish), chorizo and spareribs in my freezer from animals that grazed a couple of miles away and live microgreens I snip/add to, well, just about everything. As I write this, I'm enjoying my second cup of coffee from a Honduras farm owned by folks in Holly Springs!
So, couch potatoes unite! Enjoy the most amazing produce and products all from the comfort of wherever you happen to be. Find Piedmont Fresh on its website and click to follow its Facebook/Instagram pages. The farmers, producers, community, economy and environment will thank you.
Contact the author at KenLack@mail.com
