There has never been a better time to support small and local businesses, as the global pandemic has put so many lives and livelihoods at risk. We’re seeing so many small business come through as heroes, changing workflows to meet the needs of their communities.
Last week we launched Absolute Green’s newest product: hand sanitizer! Thank you to our wonderful customers for your enthusiastic support of this new product. We’re so happy to have your business, and to help you keep yourselves and your loved ones safe and healthy. We’ve also been offering free, local delivery of orders to our neighbors in Metuchen and Edison, NJ. As a small business, we’re especially grateful to our local communities that support our products and our mission.
But today I want to talk about how we are stocking our fridges with healthy food, while maintaining our self-isolation and social distancing. As many of us have learned in the last few weeks, it can be hard to get a grocery delivery slot in a timely manner, and the pickings are slim if you can secure a delivery time. But there are plenty of alternative options that you may not be aware of, depending on your location.
Join a CSA
If you’ve never heard the term before, CSA stands for community supported agriculture. When you join a CSA, you pay a fee to purchase shares of the season’s crops. Depending on your options, you might get a weekly or bi weekly basket of fresh fruits and vegetables (and sometimes meat and eggs, depending on your CSA) through spring, summer and fall. Your fee helps local farms stay in business, and you get the benefit of fresh, local produce. Most CSAs designate a pickup time and place, and some will deliver to your door, so you can avoid a crowded supermarket.
You can find your local CSA options here.
Famer’s Markets
If you don’t want to commit to a CSA, but still want to support local farmers, find out how your local farmer’s market is handling the current crisis. Those farmers still need to sell their wares, and you still need to eat. In our area, our Metuchen Farmer’s Market has gone virtual – you can place your order online, and pick up at a designated location on Saturday. What a great way to adapt quickly, and one that enables customers to continue to support these local producers.
Subscription Produce
If the options above don’t work for you, there are subscription delivery services that might work, that will also deliver to your door. Companies like Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods offer weekly and bi-weekly delivery of “ugly” or misshapen produce to your door. My family use Misfits Market, and we’ve been very happy with everything we’ve received. After your first order, you can choose which fruits and veggies you’ll receive in your box, and select add-ons if you’d like. Or, you can wing it and let them choose. We love finding new recipes and vegetables with the surprises in our box!
However you’re choosing to purchase your food, we hope you’re staying healthy! Remember to eat lots of greens and support the local businesses that help make your community!