Guides
312 guides
Practical answers for buying local food, using what is in season, and making more of what comes home from the market.
Why small producers deserve better tools
Small farms and local producers do some of the most important work in the food system, but the tools available to help them sell and connect with buyers have not kept pace with what they actually need. That gap is worth taking seriously.
Why supporting local producers has a ripple effect
A single purchase from a local farm does more than feed one household. It sets off a chain of economic and social effects that reach further than most buyers realize. This article explains how that ripple effect works.
Why the future of local food needs better technology
Local food systems are strong on values but often weak on infrastructure. Better technology does not compromise what makes local food good — it makes it accessible to more people, more often.
A week of family dinners built from local food
Planning a full week of family dinners around local ingredients is easier than it sounds. This guide walks through a practical approach to building satisfying meals from what small farms have available.
Best pantry staples to pair with seasonal produce
A well-stocked pantry is the secret weapon that turns a farm box into a week of real meals. These are the staples that work with almost any seasonal produce, any time of year.
Easy meal ideas for a mixed farm box
A mixed farm box full of varied produce and proteins does not have to feel like a puzzle. These practical meal ideas help you turn an assortment of local ingredients into a week of dinners without overcomplicating anything.
Five quick dinners using fresh local produce
Fresh local produce makes fast weeknight dinners better without adding effort. These five meal ideas come together quickly and let high-quality seasonal ingredients do the heavy lifting.
How to build simple meals around what is in season
Seasonal cooking does not require elaborate planning or specialty skills. Learning a handful of flexible meal templates and pairing them with what is available locally is all it takes to cook well with what is in season.
How to turn a local food order into a week of meals
A single local food order can cover most of your meals for the week with a little planning. This guide walks through how to make the most of what you receive without wasting anything.
Weekend batch cooking with farm ingredients
Spending a couple of hours cooking on the weekend can turn your local farm order into effortless meals all week. Here is how to make batch cooking work with seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients.
What to cook when your farm order arrives
The moment your farm order arrives is the best time to think through the week ahead. A little planning right at pickup or delivery sets you up to use everything well and waste almost nothing.
A beginner's guide to spring CSA and farm orders
Spring is when most CSA programs open enrollment and local farms start taking direct orders. Here is what you need to know before signing up.