Fresh & Local Winter

Baffled by where to find fresh and local food when the weather turns cold? Try some of these ideas:

Indoor Farmers Markets: Many markets continue to thrive throughout the winter, with farmers selling preserved goods, meats and storage vegetables. Check Edible Madison’s Farmers Market Guide online for one near you.

Winter CSAs: Winter community supported agriculture (CSA) programs come in many shapes and sizes these days, from a box of stored-over vegetables to shares of meat, bread or even fully-prepared meals (see "Community Kitchen Revolution").

Preserved Foods: Look beyond jam to jars of veggies and meats at your local farmers market or natural foods store. Don’t forget about dried foods like fruit and beans, too.

Plan Ahead: Work preserving and storage vegetables into your garden plan next spring; or if you aren’t able to garden, pick up fruits and veggies at the farmers market when they’re at peak freshness and preserve them yourself.

Be Neighborly: Get to know your neighbors through food. Share a garden, have a preserving party and split the bounty, and when the weather turns cold, host rotating neighborhood dinners that focus on your winter food finds.