How the website works

It’s best to think of our website like a shopping mall such as Town East. We don’t sell the food that is raised, we just provide the independent businesses a place they can advertise for free. It’s like walking into Town East and wandering from shop to shop. The best part is you can do that 24/7 on our website. 

This website is divided into the three basic components of a food system: production, processing and distribution.

Production – the people who grow the food. Some call themselves farmers, some call themselves ranchers and some call themselves growers. No matter how they define themselves, they all share the same purpose; they are raising either plants or animals meant for human consumption. Our website is designed so you can easily find them and purchase directly from them.

Processors – these are the meat lockers or commercial kitchens/canneries that prepare the food raised in such a way to be consumed by you. A meat locker, for instance, makes protein available to you in various cuts like steaks, roasts, burger, bacon and such. A commercial kitchen/cannery takes a vegetable that has an extremely short shelf -life and extends it by canning it. For example, a recently harvested cucumber must almost immediately make it to your plate unless it can be cooled or canned. If it is cooled, it can last maybe up to two weeks. If it is canned into pickles, it can last for a much longer time. You will find those processors and commercial kitchens on our website.

Distribution – how it gets to your plate. The last component of the supply chain for local foods is making it available for you to eat. Some local farms are small and don’t make it into grocery stores. Our site helps you learn where you can purchase their food. For some, you might be able to go directly to their farm. For others, you might find them at a local farmers market when they are open. You will also find specialty shops and stores carrying local products, and, in the case of some farmers, they might offer delivery to your door.