As the days get shorter and the temperatures start to drop, farmers’ market season begins to wind down across the north. For many of us, those weekly trips to the market are a favorite part of summer: a chance to stock up on fresh produce, discover new products, catch up with familiar faces, and support the people who grow our food. But what happens when the tents come down and the market season ends? The good news is that eating locally doesn’t have to end with the farmers’ market season. While our options may change, there are still plenty of ways to purchase food from local farms and keep more of our food dollars in our own communities throughout the winter.
One of the easiest ways to keep eating local during the off season is to buy directly from the farms that produce your food. Many farms continue selling products year round, even when they're no longer attending weekly markets. Shopping directly from a farm gives you the opportunity to learn more about how your food is produced, ask questions, and build a relationship with the people who grow or raise it. Some farms have farm stores or farmstands, while others offer online ordering, scheduled pickup days, or sales by appointment. Check your favorite farm's website or social media pages to see what's available and to learn how to order during the winter months. Here at The Cook Farm, we have an on-site store that remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We also offer online ordering with various pick up and delivery options.
Although many outdoor farmers’ markets close in the fall, some continue operating through the winter. They either move indoors or offer alternative ways to purchase from their vendors. The Saranac Lake Farmers’ Market is a great example of how local markets can adapt to the changing seasons. In mid October, the market moves indoors to the lobby of the Hotel Saranac, where it operates until Christmas. (The vendors do take the Saturday following Thanksgiving off to be with their families.) Its online pre-ordering option also helps customers continue shopping from participating vendors beyond the in-person market season, carrying the local food connection through to the return of the regular farmers’ market in May. Winter markets and online market platforms can make it easier to find a variety of locally produced goods in one place. If your favorite summer market closes for the season, don’t just assume you have to wait until spring; check its website or social media accounts! You may find an indoor market, a pre-order system, or another way to shop with the same local farmers and producers you already know.
Winter roads, busy schedules, and long distances can make it harder to visit farms in person. Fortunately, some local farms offer home delivery or delivery to designated pick up locations. Delivery options vary from farm to farm. Some, like ours, may deliver within a limited geographic area, while others organize regular routes or offer delivery when a minimum order is met. You may also find farms that coordinate deliveries with other producers, allowing customers to order from multiple local businesses at once. Even if a farm doesn't advertise delivery, it's worth asking whether there are any available options in your area. A little planning can make it much easier to keep local food on your table all winter long.
Buying directly from a farm isn't the only way to support local agriculture. Grocery stores, food cooperatives, and other retailers can also help connect consumers with nearby farms. Cooperatives are particularly worth exploring because many prioritize regional food systems and carry products from local farmers and small-scale producers. Depending on the store and the season, you might find local dairy products, eggs, meat, vegetables, honey, maple syrup, and other regionally produced foods. When shopping, look for signs identifying the farm or producer, check product labels, and ask store employees where particular products come from. If you don't see local options on the shelves, let the store know that you're interested in buying them. Customer demand can help encourage retailers to carry more locally produced food. It's helpful to remember that “local” can mean different things to different businesses. If knowing where your food comes from is important to you, look for specific farm names and ask about the product's origin rather than relying on a generic local claim.
Eating locally in the off season may look a little different than eating locally in July. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and tender greens may be harder to find from nearby farms, but that doesn't mean your choices disappear. Winter is a good time to explore other ways of eating seasonally and supporting local producers:
Stock your freezer: frozen meat and vegetables can provide convenient, locally sourced ingredients for everyday meals.
Build your pantry: look for maple syrup, honey, dried herbs, preserves, and other shelf-stable products made nearby.
Plan meals around what's available: root vegetables, storage crops, and preserved produce can be useful ingredients for hearty winter meals.
Buy in bulk when it makes sense: larger quantities of meat or other farm products can help you stock up on foods you'll use regularly.
Keep a list of your favorite farms: knowing who sells what, when they're open, and how to order makes winter shopping much easier.
Farming doesn't stop when farmers’ market season ends, and neither does the need for people to buy what local farms produce. For small farms, sales throughout the fall and winter are an important part of maintaining a viable business. Choosing local meat, eggs, dairy, pantry staples, and other farm products helps support the people who care for the land, raise the animals, grow the crops, and keep our rural communities functioning. You don't have to source every ingredient locally to make a difference. Every time you choose a locally produced item when it's practical for your household, you're helping sustain the farms and businesses that make our regional food system possible. Of course, we'd love for you to keep our farm in mind when you're stocking your pantry and freezer this winter. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our emails for updates on available products, ordering, and ways to shop with us throughout the off season.
