How to Support Farmers in the Time of COVID-19

May 1

I have to say, one of the hardest adjustments I had to make when the shelter-in-place orders took effect (you know, other than not seeing my friends, family, and adding a canine co-worker) was not going out and doing my normal grocery shopping. I am of those people who get up early on a Saturday morning and head to my local Trader Joe’s and get all my groceries for the week by 9 am. I actually enjoy this weekly tradition—looking for new items and stocking up on my favorites. Now, like so many, in an effort to do my part in stopping the spread of the coronavirus, I am mindful of how and when I shop.

Early on, I started looking for delivery options for our groceries. I was one of those people constantly hitting refresh and trying to secure a coveted Whole Foods delivery slot. With people panicking and beginning to stockpile their goods, I started seeing pictures of empty grocery store shelves and hearing about the terrible conditions that personal shoppers and clerks were enduring without hazard pay and/or protective gear. At the same time, I heard more and more reports about the impact of the shutdown on our national food supply chain, local farms, and restaurants. I knew there had to be another way.

For some, utilizing local farms and producers has always been the way to grocery shop via farmers markets or Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs). Luckily, many of these are still open and supplying folks with local produce. However, many local farms not only grow to sell their products at farmers markets, but also to provide ingredients for restaurants. With the shutdowns, the demand for ingredients from restaurants has decreased significantly and farms have a surplus of meat, vegetables, dairy, and other goods they cannot sell. One local example from where I am in Maryland is the drop-off of oyster sales due to COVID-19. We can anticipate major impacts from the shutdown on the coming crab harvest and picking houses as well.

There is good news, however. Some of these farms, distributors, and producers are acting nimbly and are adjusting to our current ‘normal.’ There are now opportunities to purchase goods either directly from farmers (skipping the markets) and producers or from restaurant distributors. Restaurants have even started adding grocery and pantry shopping options to their new takeout and delivery menus! Thanks to these changes and shifting the way I think about shopping, I have started ordering everything from flour and yeast to oysters and rockfish, all while keeping my distance.

If there is anything that I want to stick with me when we can safely return to our old routines, (whenever that is!), it is prioritizing my local producers. I should have done this long before this quarantine, and I find myself looking forward to grocery shopping again. And not because I am snagging the newest hummus flavor from TJ’s, but because I am supporting local businesses and helping to reduce food waste, all while supporting those who provide us with what we need to live.

Below is a list of ways that I have found I can make a difference by shopping locally during the time of COVID-19. All of these options either ship, deliver, or provide pick-up options. I will regularly update this list, so please feel free to reach out to add your own finds!

Kristin Reilly is the Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition

Updated as of May 1, 2020

Restaurants Offering Groceries and Take Out

Check with your local restaurants to see if they are selling goods
Washington, DC Restaurant Grocery Guide

Kristin Reilly

How to Support Farmers in the Time of COVID-19

Buy Local Directly

Buy Local Guides and Farmers Markets

Restaurant Distributors Providing Home Delivery/Pick up

Restaurants Offering Groceries and Take Out

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