First Coast FreshGrowing Options for Local,Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Luke Watkins, a fifth generationfarmer in Palatka, says the concept ofsustainable farming has been around for15 to 20 years in other parts of thecountry, but is relatively new inNortheast Florida. “People are startingto want to know where their food iscoming from,” Watkins says.

Historically rural, farms in Palatkaand St. Johns County have traditionallygrown cabbage and potatoes. Now, BlackHog Farm, and others like it, aregrowing a larger variety of fruits andvegetables.

Richard Villadoniga, director of SlowFoods First Coast, says the time wasright for this diversification of crops. Atthe same time consumers becameinterested in buying locally, farmers inNorth Florida were looking forsomething that would help them sustaintheir careers as farmers.

“We have lots of small family farmsin our region that are just begging forfolks to give them a chance,” Villadonigasays.

In addition to supporting farmers inthe community, buying locally grownfood has numerous health benefits.Research has shown that fresh fruits andvegetables, as well as produce that isfrozen quickly after harvesting, retaintheir nutrients better than cannedvegetables. Buying locally ensures youare eating foods at their freshest.

“Every day produce sits around in acooler or is traveling across the country,it’s losing its nutritional value,” Watkinssays. “Once the produce is picked, it’sdead.”

Small, family-owned farms usefewer chemicals and pesticides inthe growing process. Buying locallydoes not guarantee food ischemical-free, however, and experts atsustainabletable.org warn, “You have toask.”

at ability to get answers from thegrower is an important advantage ofbuying locally grown and raised food,says Villadoniga. “When the grower is infront of you, it’s easier to ask the

important questions. When was thisproduce picked? How did you grow it?Were pesticides used?”

In addition to the use of chemicals,Jacksonville resident Nikki Gallucci isconcerned about the long-term effects ofeating produce that has been geneticallymodified. Since the late 1980s, farmershave genetically engineered crops tointroduce desirable traits such as pestprotection, herbicide resistance andincreased nutritional value, according tothe Food and Drug Administration.

Gallucci buys her produce from thelocal farmers market or from a localretail store that serves as a middleman togather local produce and sell it toconsumers. “I just don’t want toperpetuate a culture that likes togenetically engineer food,” Gallucci says.“It’s like a Frankenstein experiment—ora Frankenfruit experiment.”

Whatever the reason for NortheastFloridians to favor local, fresh produce,it looks like they are getting support ona national and local level.

By Laura Hampton

Over the past five years, consumers in Northeast Florida have increased the demand forfresh, seasonal produce, as well as locally raised beef, chicken and pork for the healthbenefits and peace of mind that comes from knowing how their food has been grown.

40 | Family! HERITAGE PUBLISHING, INC. © 2012

Here are a few of the programs thatwill help you, and your family, maintaina healthy, nutrient-rich diet.

Community SupportedAgriculture (CSA)

Growing in popularity throughoutthe region, CSAs provide a way forconsumers to buy local, seasonal fooddirectly from the farmer. In CSAs,consumers pay a membership fee inexchange for a “share” of the product thefarmer produces. Typically, the share is abox of fruits and vegetables, but somefarms include other items such as meat,eggs and honey for an additional fee.

Organic and Natural FarmsOther Organic and Natural Farms in

the region do not deliver, but are openfor consumers to stop in and purchaseproduce. If you’re in the mood for a realearthy adventure, take the family to a U-pick farm like Riverdale Potato Farm inHastings, where you can roam throughtowers of hydroponically grown fruitsand vegetables.

For a farm to be classified as organic,the farmer must rely on naturaltechniques, which means rotating crops,using “green” manure, compost andmulches, and planting proven organicseeds.

Farmers MarketsFarmers markets are springing up

throughout the First Coast. Usually heldone day a week, the markets are a greatlocation to buy seafood (in season),homemade bread, jams, jellies and honey,in addition to local, seasonal fruits andvegetables.

With locations in Fernandina Beach,downtown Jacksonville, the beaches, St.Augustine and numerous neighborhoodsin between, you’re sure to find a farmersmarket near you!

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Visit localharvest.org orslowfoodf irstcoast.com for

a list of local CSAs,natural farms andfarmers markets.

42 | Family! HERITAGE PUBLISHING, INC. © 2012

Beaches Green MarketSaturday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.beacheslocalfoodnetwork.org

Fernandina Farmers MarketSaturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.fernandinafarmersmarket.com

Green Cove Springs FarmersMarketSaturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.greencovespringsfarmersmarket.com

Jacksonville Farmers MarketOpen daily, pre-dawn to duskjaxfarmersmarket.com

Nocatee Farmers Marketird Saturday of each month,10 a.m. to 2 p.m.nocatee.com

Old City Farmers MarketSaturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.staugustinefm.com

Riverside Arts MarketSaturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.riversideartsmarket.com

St. Johns Town Center FarmersMarketFriday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.904-236-9966

First CoastFarmersMarkets

Argyle Area Community Garden7033 Collins Road, Jacksonvillejaxcommunitygarden.org

Arlington Community Garden7152 Lone Star Road,Jacksonville725-8133arlingtoncommunitygarden.org

Beaches Organic CommunityGarden2001 Cherokee Drive,Neptune Beach270-0273beacheslocalfoodnetwork.org

Eastside Community Garden960 Spearing St., Jacksonville354-4673operationnewhope.com

Gardens at Jacksonville Square2554 Philips Highway,Jacksonville738-0518firststardev.com/thegarden.html

Laura Street CommunityGarden1416 Laura St., Jacksonvillesustainablespringfield.net

Lincolnville Community Garden399 Riberia St., St. Augustinecitysprout.org

Mandarin Garden Club2892 Loretto Road, Jacksonville268-1192home.comcast.net/~harper113/site/?/home

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