RED HILLS SMALL FARM ALLIANCE

LINKING GROWERS TO CONSUMERS, NONPROFIT’S ONLINE MARKETPLACE

Written by: Ava Grace

Through the vision and work of four women supporting farmers in Tallahassee, the nonprofit Red Hills Small Farm Alliance bloomed.

Collectively, the founders in 2010 agreed on a three-part mission: to support the regional farm economy, to support farmer-to-farmer and community education, and to improve fresh food access.

Farmers and producers, from small backyarders and urban growers to larger farms and ranches in rural Tallahassee, are all part of the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance.

Cari Roth, board president and interim executive director, says, “the biggest way we support our regional farm economy is linking producers ... to customers with an online farmers market, the Red Hills online market.”

Incredible Diversity

Over 100 producers participate and offer an incredible diversity of regionally grown fruits and vegetables and a great variety of fresh herbs, meats, cheeses and milk, as well as items such as oysters and alligator, honey, mushrooms, eggs (chicken, duck, goose, and quail), cornmeal, grits and polenta, orange juice, herb, vegetable and decorative garden plants, and all kinds of farm products that include jams and jellies, hummus and other spreads, dressings and hot sauces, granola, baked good, soaps, and even wool, all within 100 miles of our state capital.

Online customers can order farm bundles or pick and choose items from individual producers. Farming or ranching methods are described on the online market website and the app. Producers are growing and raising things that thrive locally, and some raise heritage breeds. “I've never eaten so well and so fresh in my life!” says Roth.

Ordering Steps

How it works is that producers each week list product availability. Customer ordering starts Sunday mornings and ends on Tuesday mornings. Produce is harvested to order, and the bounty gets delivered to the market’s central hub by early Thursday. Orders are then filled and delivered to homes, or to a satellite hub. “People are seeing how easy it is to have the very best food in their homes while supporting the hard-working local producers,” adds Roth. While consumers enjoy fresh local food and other offerings, members enjoy the strength of working together, supporting one another, networking and participating in mutual education through the Alliance’s CRAFT workshops.

And throughout the year the Alliance hosts events such as

June’s Tomato Feastival, a celebration of the fruit. It also co-sponsors October’s Farm Tour weekend, hosted by the Millstone Institute, where many producers open their farms. Also, they host February’s Seven Days of Local Delights, a fun series of educational sessions such as gardening with kids, along with a week of meals at local restaurants highlighting locally produced food. The event concludes with a fundraiser brunch prepared with food from producers.

“We always welcome more customers and producers to our online market,” says Roth, adding that there is a new main hub, a new market manager and a stable financial picture. They also seek volunteers of all skill levels, including delivery drivers and packers for customer orders. “If you have an interest, we can find a project or activity to put your efforts to good use!” says Roth. FCM

Roundup

Red Hills Small Farm Alliance 1940 N Monroe St., No. 76, Tallahassee 850-960-1367, redhillsfarmalliance.com