Market Watch: Rogue Valley Farms Go Virtual

By: Joanna McDonald | June 14 2010
Posted in Rogue Valley - Find It - Rogue Valley

Confession time: I am a busy modern professional woman. In the two years since I moved to Southern Oregon, I have shed some of my naivete about "garden variety" grocery store produce and become a supporter of the amazing local food here and the farmers who grow it--in theory, if not so much in practice.

I've been to the growers markets in Ashland and Medford exactly six times. They are wonderful, vibrant places, filled with people who are excited about growing and producing their food and wares. Just being in the presence of such lovingly grown zucchini and kale makes me feel healthy and wholesome (and just a dash granola, which is probably compounded by the fact that I recently became a Birkenstock convert).

But for me, and I would guess for many other busy people, having two mornings a week to do grocery shopping just isn't workable. There's also the issue of carrying cash (I, like many Gen-Y-ers, am 100% plastic--unless the need arises to scrounge up change for a donut). And the fact that I still need to go to the grocery store because I eat things like Frosted Mini-Wheats, jalapeno kettle chips and canned tuna fish.

I'm excited to announce, though, that my reasons for supporting local food in theory only are being rendered invalid by a new program run by Thrive called Rogue Valley Local Foods. In an beautiful collision of local living and technology, this program allows Southern Oregon residents to order local meats, produce, eggs, flowers and other locally made products online (hello, plastic!). You can place an order from Friday at noon until Tuesday evening, and Thursday, you can either pick up your purchases at Grains, Beans and Things in Medford, the Rogue Creamery in Central Point or Club Northwest in Grants Pass, OR have them delivered, which eliminates the convenience issue.

What has me most jazzed about this program (other than having all day to either pick up or have my stuff delivered) is that it'll allow me to eat locally without drastically changing my lifestyle. I can happily order eggs, cheese and vegetables I like to eat, instead of letting parsnips from a CSA box go rotten in my crisper because I have no idea what to do with them.

Would you eat more local produce if you could order online and have it delivered? Are you a Southern Oregon resident who will be taking advantage of this? Perhaps you're just steamed that I have the audacity to eat canned tuna? I'd still like to hear from you!