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31 results in Guide for "basil"
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Guide
What to do with fresh basil
Fresh basil has huge flavor but not much patience. These are the easiest ways to use a full bunch before the leaves blacken or collapse.
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Why community-based commerce is worth rebuilding
Decades of consolidation in retail and food distribution have eroded community-based commerce. Rebuilding it — starting with local food systems — is harder than it sounds, but the case for doing so is more practical…
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How to compare local food prices the right way
Comparing local food prices to grocery store prices on a per-item basis misses most of what matters. A more honest comparison includes quality, shelf life, waste, and what you are actually paying for.
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The benefits of reaching more buyers without losing your identity
Expanding your customer base doesn't have to mean becoming anonymous. Small farms can reach more buyers online while keeping the story and values that make buyers choose them in the first place.
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How local farms help build more resilient communities
Community resilience depends on more than emergency plans — it depends on whether the basics of life, including food, can be sourced nearby when things go wrong.
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Getting Started with Backyard Growing
Whether you have a sprawling yard or a small patio, you can start growing your own fresh food today. This beginner's guide walks you through everything you need to know.
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Best ways to use extra peaches, corn, cucumbers, and berries
Summer abundance means you will sometimes end up with more than you planned. Here are the best ways to use up extra peaches, corn, cucumbers, and berries before they go to waste.
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Bulk Produce for Canning and Freezing — Is It Economical?
Buying bulk produce from local farms during peak season — for canning, freezing, and preserving — can be one of the best per-pound values in local food. Here's how the math works and where to start.
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Buying Local Food for One Person vs a Family of Four
The economics and logistics of buying local food look very different depending on household size. Here's how to approach local food buying whether you're shopping for yourself or feeding a family.
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Buying Local Produce vs Growing Your Own — Cost, Time, and Yield
Growing your own food is rewarding and can be cost-effective for specific crops. But for most households, a combination of home growing and buying local delivers the best outcomes on cost, variety, and effort.
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Easy summer meals built around farm-fresh ingredients
Farm-fresh summer produce makes cooking easier, not harder. Here are simple, satisfying meal ideas built around what local farms have right now.
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Email Marketing Strategies for Farm Businesses
Email is one of the highest-return marketing channels for small farms — but only if you build the list and use it well. Here's a practical guide to email for direct-market farmers.
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Fresh-Picked vs Supermarket Produce — Does It Really Matter?
Is produce that was picked this morning actually different from what's at the grocery store? Yes — in ways that are measurable, visible, and taste-able. Here's what the evidence shows.
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How to grow herbs at home
Growing herbs at home is one of the simplest ways to get more flavor into daily cooking because herbs do not need a huge garden to be worth it.
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How to make the most of tomato season
Tomato season is short and spectacular. This guide covers how to buy, store, cook, and preserve local tomatoes so you get the most out of every week of peak season.
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How to Meal Plan Around Seasonal Produce
Seasonal eating doesn't have to mean chaos in the kitchen. Learn how to build a flexible meal plan that works with what's fresh, local, and delicious right now.
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How to Preserve Summer Produce for Later
Summer gives you more great produce than you can eat right now. Here's how to freeze, pickle, and put up the best of the season so you're eating local food all winter long.
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How to stretch a weekly farm order further
Getting the most out of your local farm order is both a cooking skill and a planning habit. Small adjustments to how you store, prep, and use your food can significantly extend the value of every order.
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How to Use a Farm Box Without Wasting Anything
A weekly farm box is one of the best ways to eat locally — but only if you actually use everything in it. Here's how to make the most of every leaf, stem, and root.
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Spring farmers market favorites you can also buy online
Many of the best things you find at a spring farmers market are also available through local farm online shops — without the early-morning trip or weather uncertainty.
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Spring herbs to start cooking with right now
Fresh herbs are one of the best purchases you can make in spring — and local farms often offer them earlier and in better condition than grocery stores. Here is what to look for and how to use it all.
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The best local foods to stock up on in summer
Summer is the best time of year to buy in bulk, freeze, and preserve local food. Here are the items worth stocking up on and how to make them last.
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Top Products to Sell Locally — High Margin and High Demand
Not all farm products sell equally well through direct channels. Some categories consistently command strong prices and high buyer interest at farmers markets and through CSAs.
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What to buy first when shopping local
Not sure what to order on your first local food shop? Some products deliver a much more noticeable improvement over the grocery store version than others. Start with these.
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What to Buy From Local Farms in Summer
Summer is peak season for local farms — tomatoes, corn, peppers, berries, and more are at their absolute best right now. Here's what to prioritize and why buying direct from a grower makes all the difference.
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What to do with backyard tomatoes
Backyard tomatoes are usually more delicate and more abundant than store-bought ones, so the best use plan is the one that respects both. These ideas help you handle the rush without wasting your nicest fruit.
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What to do with too many tomatoes
Too many ripe tomatoes is a good problem until the counter starts filling up. These are the easiest ways to use, cook, and preserve them before they split or soften.
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Why freshness matters more than perfect appearance
A perfectly shaped tomato picked two weeks ago beats a lumpy one picked yesterday in appearance — but not in any way that matters at the table. Here's why freshness is the quality indicator worth prioritizing.
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Why summer is peak season for buying local
Summer is when local food is at its most abundant, affordable, and exceptional. Here is why this season deserves extra attention and how to shop it well.
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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.
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Why real food routines matter more than food trends
Food trends come and go, but the eating habits that actually change how people feel are built on steady routines, not the latest nutrition cycle. Here is why consistency with real ingredients matters more.