The earthen and herbal smell of freshly-picked basil. The taste of a juicy strawberry as you bite into it. The sound of customers milling around, chattering about their favorite recipes. There are few sensory experiences in life that beat going to a farmers market. One of the greatest benefits of living in our rural region is having ample access to fresh, local food.
Do you like visiting farms, picking your own apples, or trying samples of a new product at a farmers market? If yes, then you’re an agritourist! According to the USDA, agritourism revenue more than tripled between 2002 and 2017, making it one of the fastest growing travel industries in the country. Northeast PA and the greater Upper Delaware River region have plenty of farms and farmers markets to visit. Not sure where to start? Check out SEEDS’ Local Food Atlas, available at www.SeedsGroup.net/local-food/ to get started planning your trip.
After you fill your reusable shopping bags with fresh produce, it’s time to bring them home to your kitchen to try out a new recipe. Each week through Thanksgiving, SEEDS is bringing you new episodes of our podcast, Today’s Main Ingredient, which features interviews with local farmers, chefs, and foodies telling you everything you need to know about what’s in season. Ever make a dry rub with foraged mushrooms? Know why kohlrabi is called the German radish? Ever wonder how to make your asparagus last longer? All the answers and more can be heard in the podcast, so download a few episodes before your next agritourism road trip.
In addition to finding Today’s Main Ingredient episodes on our website, you can also listen on Sunday mornings on the radio on two Honesdale-based radio stations: WDNH (95.3 FM) at 7:05 a.m. and WYCY (105.3 FM) at 7:20 a.m.
As you eat your way through our delicious region, you may find some new favorite foods, farms, and recipes. Bon appétit!
Shannon Cilento is the Outreach Assistant at SEEDS of Northeastern Pennsylvania, whose mission is developing local renewable energy infrastructure and promoting energy efficiency and sustainable living in our region. For more information or to sign up for the e-newsletter, visit: www.SeedsGroup.net and follow @SEEDSofNEPA on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for updates!