Local Farmers are a great but underused resource in many areas with the exception of CSA programs and farmers markets. Now it isn’t always cheaper just looking at dollar amounts compared to the grocery store. But when you look at knowing exactly how your product was grown/raised and getting exactly what you want the difference in price really signifies the difference in quality. You might spend slightly more but the difference in quality more than makes up for it. Also, the bigger reason is knowing you’re directly helping someone to make their living. This means so much more than the actual dollar amount spent. I’m a big believer in making connections and supporting small business so if I can buy it local from a trusted source I will.
Finding these sources however can be a bit of a challenge if you’re looking beyond fruit and vegetables. Most people in my area know of buying in to a 1/4 or 1/2 a cow but less common is buying a 50 lb bag of flour grown and milled locally. Fortunately someone in my state started a Facebook group to connect farmers directly to consumers during the pandemic shutdowns when farmers were having a hard time getting their products to their normal markets. This group continues to grow and grow as does the map on her website Farm Direct Minnesota. I’ve connected with several farmers this way. There are similar sites to this one out there but this just happens to be my preference for my area.
~The Crunchy Cheapskate