Farm Food on the Web

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Can't make it to the farmers market? A new University of Maryland Web site ( http://www.foodtrader.org) allows consumers to buy directly from local farmers with the click of a button.

The service is similar to Craigslist. Farmers post free listings detailing products they want to sell, the quantity available and the price, often negotiable. Customers arrange pickup with the farmer. Buyers also can post want ads.

On a recent day, the site carried listings for freshly cut basil ($3 a bunch), okra ($3 a pint), fresh goat sausage (negotiable) and zinnia bouquets ($4 a bunch). The system isn't designed for smaller purchases; it's hardly worth it to contact a farmer and arrange a pickup for say, one bunch of basil. But consumers are trying it out. It will be useful for large orders and for organizations such as hospitals, schools and restaurants.

The site also includes a category for charities. Farmers can receive tax deductions for donations they make to the Maryland Food Bank.

-- Jane Black