Farm_Direct_MN

I started Farm Direct Minnesota on May 5, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with one simple mission: Connect Farmers Direct to Customers. Grocery store shelves were suddenly empty while, at the very same time, farmers and growers were being forced to destroy produce, dump milk, and euthanize animals because traditional supply chains had shut down. The food existed — the direct connection did not. I knew there were people who wanted to buy directly from Minnesota farms but simply didn’t know where to start or how to find them. So I created Farm Direct Minnesota as both a Facebook community and a website to help bridge that gap. What began as an immediate response to a crisis has grown into a statewide farm-direct community, searchable website, directory, and interactive map connecting Minnesota farmers, producers, and customers. I have often described the concept as an online referral and buying co-op — a place where people can discover local food, connect directly with the people producing it, and build relationships without a middleman. The mission remains the same today: connect farmers directly with customers, strengthen Minnesota’s local food system, increase access to locally produced food, and help reduce food deserts. Farm Direct Minnesota is a community built around the idea that when we make it easier for people to find and support local farms, we all become part of the success story. We are Farm Direct. #farmtotable #knowyourfarmer #farmdirectminnesota