How to Buy Local
Fortunately for us, there are many options for buying local in Thurston County. By using this map and patronizing the farms listed, you vote with your dollars and help sustain our community food system. There are many ways to buy local, and it’s easy, fun and rewarding!
Invest in a Farm!
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an arrangement that allows consumers to directly invest their money into local agriculture. A flat fee is paid to a farm at the beginning of the season, The farmer has a guaranteed market, and the consumer gets fresh, seasonal farm products at agreed-upon intervals, usually weekly, throughout the season. There are fifteen CSA farms listed in the farm map. Contact them for more information about their programs.
Eat Out!
Some restaurants serve locally grown foods. Ask your server next time you eat out. If they don’t know, ask the manager or owner. If you eat there often, they will be motivated to make the effort to buy local.
Read Labels!
The Puget Sound Fresh label represents food produced within the nine counties surrounding the Puget Sound. Look for this label in stores and markets, and make a habit of finding out where the things you buy come from.
Visit a Farm!
U-Pick—These farms allow you to participate in the harvest of your food and spend some time on the farm. Remember to bring containers, leave pets at home, and wear “grubby” clothes. Farm Stands—Another way to buy directly from the farmer. Farm Stands are often on or adjacent to the farm, so you can see where your veggies are grown or your eggs are laid.
Call Around!
Many farms need you to call ahead with your request to let you know what they have available and make arrangements for pick-up or delivery.
Go to the Market!
Farmers Markets—From April through December, shopping at our three area Farmers Markets is a great way to support local farmers and community artisans. Visit all three and see which one best suits your needs. Look at numbers 5, 21 and 42 on the map inside for more details about each market. Grocery Stores—The Olympia Food Co-op and both Thriftways offer local produce and some other local products in season. Ask for it!
Do Research!
If you’re traveling or living out of Thurston County, you can still eat local. There are many other active farms throughout the Puget Sound region. Mason and Whatcom counties each have their own farm maps, like this one. Check out any of these valuable websites to learn more.
www.cascadeharvest.org
www.pugetsoundfresh.org
www.localharvest.org
http://mason.wsu.edu/farms/map.html (for Mason County Map)
www.sconnect.org (for Whatcom County Map)
www.soundfoodshed.org (for this map and guide)
Home
Farm Map
The Farms
Seasonality Guide
Why Buy Local?
How to Buy Local
Product Guide
Sponsors
Contact Us
Thanks!
1: The Farm
2: The Perennial Gardener
3: Carr's Organic Blueberry Farms
4: GRuB Farm
5: Olympia Farmers Market
6: Wiser Worm
7: The Evergreen State College Organic Farm
8: Calliope Farm
9: Common Ground CSA Farm
10: Four B's Farm
11: Oyster Bay Farm
12: Steamboat Island Goat Farm
13: Schilter Family Farm
14: Pigman's Organic Produce Patch
15: Backacher's Emu Ranch
16: Pixie Honey Company
17: Daisy Chain CSA
18: Johnson Berry Farm Certified Organic
19: Spooner Farms
20: Lattin's Country Cider Mill & Farm
21: Tumwater Town Center Farmers Market
22: Kirsop Farm
23: Willow Creek Lavendar Farm
24: Left Foot Organics
25: Clyde'n Dale's Holiday Trees & Gifts
26: Endicott Farm
27: Stoney Plains Organic Farm
28: Heritage Homestead Farm
29: Alpacas of America
30: Scatter Creek Nurseries
31: Happy Hen Farm
32: Helsing Junction Farm
33: Rising River Farm
34: Wobbly Cart Farming Collective
35: Cottage Industries Northwest
36: Spring Creek Farm
37: Morning Dew Farm
38: Scatter Creek Farm
39: Boistfort Valley Farm
40: Winlock Meadows Farm
41: Yelm Earth Worm & Castings Farm
42: Chehalis - Community Farmers Market
43: Let Us Farm LLC
44: Stillwater Farm
45: Greenman's Garden
46: Provisions CSA Mushroom Farm
Sponsors
Fertile Ground Guest House
Gordon's Garden Center
Kipert's Korner Feed
The Barn and Great Western Supply
Olympia Farmers' Market
Olympia Food Co-op
Olympia Supply Co. Hardware
Suzanne Shafer Realtor
Olympia Federal Savings
Community Farmers Market