Local Frozen/Canned Foods

[Joan]

I would love to see someone canning or freezing local foods for sale throughout the winter. We were disturbed to see that many of the frozen organic foods that we buy in the winter are produced in China or South America. The environmental costs of shipping from these areas are so high, and we are unconvinced of the 'organic'-ness of foods produced elsewhere as well. It is virtually impossible to find frozen/canned organic food (other than blueberries) produced in the U.S, or better yet, in New England or Maine.

It would be great to see a local (Maine) brand of food available in the winter! We grow what we can, and already eat lots of squash, potatoes, carrots, kale, etc. in the winter. But these get tiring and we would like to buy peas, tomatoes, and other produce produced locally. Any CSAs or other organizations interested in getting something like this going? It would be a great market niche!

[Jeremy]

I am a newbie to local foods in general, and am interested in finding holes in the local food industry that need filling. This sounds like a wonderful idea, but I wonder why this isn't in more practice.

Anyone else want to chime in on liking this idea?

[Mary]

I think there is definitely interest out there. There are only a few CSAs that offer winter shares, and I think they fill up fast.

[Joan]

Hi Jeremy,

Sorry for the long delay in my response... I'm glad to see interest in this idea.

My theory is that all of the farmers are so busy with harvesting that they don't have time to freeze/can/preserve the food at that time. It would be a great way to add value to the crop though - I would think that local frozen/canned vegetables would sell for more than fresh, since there is a lot of competition during the fresh food season. I have given this a lot of thought, and considered starting it as a business myself, but at this point in my life I don't have time to do it. So, I'll throw out some ideas that I have thought about...

It seems like a food coop or other organization/individual with a large kitchen would be in a good position to buy excess produce from the farmers, and preserve it. They could then sell it via coops or CSAs in the winter. Or maybe the processor could sell it back to the farmers if the farmer has a CSA, so that the farmer can sell 'winter CSA' shares . Or, perhaps farmers would be willing to pay a processing fee to have the food preserved, then they would sell it in the winter...

This could happen on many different levels - very locally, covering an area supported by perhaps just one farmers market. Or, it could be regionally with produce from several counties being preserved by one person/organization. It could also be done on a statewide level (by someone like MOFGA?), which then might sell more broadly, to the grocery stores and others as well. I'd love to see it happen in any form!

I hope you run with this idea! I wish I had time to pursue it. I'll be your first customer though!

Joan

[Fran Clemetson]

Hi Joan,
Kudos to you for bringing this discussion to the blog!
We've been having this same discussion in Belfast, ME. Every other Monday a group meets at the Belfast Co-op to develop a Kitchen/Storage facility in the area. Our goal is to strengthen the local sustainable food economy by providing processing, marketing, storage and distribution opportunities for local farmers, fisher folk and food entrepreneurs. We hope to start with a small shared-use kitchen and work our way up.
Maine has several shared-use kitchen projects in the works. The Shared Use Kitchen Coalition of Maine is a good place to start for finding out what might be happening close to you.
Fran Clemetson

[Joan]

Hi Fran,

Remember me? I homeschooled Alex in Camden a few years ago! We've moved and now we have 100 acres or so, and this year we have a small garden - next year to be a big one! It's exciting to hear that you are doing something like this in Belfast, and others in various places in Maine. I wish we were closer to the co-op, I miss it! Thanks for the mention of the Shared Use Kitchen Coalition - I looked it up and there is nothing like it in this area, but it would be great to start one.

Hi to your family!

Joan Ray

[Merry Hall]

Absolutely! I am including such a suggestion, among others like community root cellars, community kitchens for canning parties, mom & pop grocery outlets for local foods, and a farm equipment outlet with equipment sized appropriately for kitchen gardening and small family farms in my upcoming book. I'm still fiddling with the title, but am currently leaning toward "The foodscape of Maine." Merry

[Robin]

As a farmer, there isn't time. I get our own food put up but that's often a project that doesn't get started til 9 pm. If someone wanted to buy wholesale and use one of the community kitchens or their own facility we're willing to work with them.

If anyone is in northern Washington county and would like to learn to can and freeze I'd be happy to show you how.