Food shortages: Alternative to get hold of fresh produce

Vegetables, from which the body gets a lot of nutrients, are an essential part of the human diet. The agriculture supply chain is so complex that the time taken for the produce to reach a home from the farm can take days. This means the produce loses nutrients along with its freshness. Likewise, there are currently various products that are difficult to get hold of from mainstream supermarkets at the moment. For anyone looking for alternative ways to get source fresh produce, here are a few sources to try.

Wholesale food suppliers

Purchasing produce from wholesale food suppliers means cutting the middlemen out and directly getting the produce. Usually, wholesalers sell to restaurants and retailers, but there are many wholesale markets available where one can get fresh produce at a cheap rate. The only catch is that they do not sell items in small quantities. Their profit margin depends on earnings from bulk orders; hence, when buying from a wholesaler, one must purchase a minimum quantity as demanded.

Check out local farmers’ markets

When shopping for fresh produce, what is better than going to a farmers’ market? The produce from the market stays fresh for as long as possible and tastes great as it comes directly from the farm. Buyers will find all seasonal fruits and vegetables available, and, apart from fresh produce, one can also get hold of homemade and home-grown products such as eggs, fresh meats, pickles, jams and bread. Ever better, one doesn’t just get fresh produce, but they’re also sold at a discounted rate, coming directly from the farm without any intermediaries to take a percentage in between.

The only drawback is that this kind of market is not open every day, which means there is a specific schedule to follow. It will be necessary to make a list of everything needed to cook meals till the next market date.

Small farms deliveries through social media

After the pandemic, many farms have shifted their marketplace. Instead of doing it physically, they use social media and have started delivery services. These organic products are sold directly from small farms.

There are also CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs in place where one buys a share of the farm’s harvest in advance, and, once it is harvested, it gets delivered. This is not just sustainable agriculture, but buyeres are also supporting local farms. Such CSA programs are also available for meat and dairy products in addition to fruits and vegetables.

Buy fresh produce from a metaverse marketplace

The virtual world offers a unique opportunity to sell farm products directly to consumers, showcasing goods through virtual reality for an immersive experience. Shoppers can select products as if they are in a grocery store, equipped with a smart cart. This not only saves time and money but also provides direct access to fresh produce.

This concept, based on blockchain technology, functions like a marketplace where the sellers are farmers, retailers, and manufacturers. It allows farmers to create a virtual tour of their farmlands, giving consumers a sense of how food travels from farm to table. The initiative aims to serve as a comprehensive hub for the agricultural sector, as noted by its president.

The platform offers secure payments, diverse shipping options, and order tracking, enhancing the shopping experience and attracting new customers. The treasurer comments, “This innovative platform fosters growth and prosperity in the agricultural sector, opening new avenues for farmers and businesses.”

The incorporation of blockchain technology ensures secure transactions and transparency, with the added benefit of a distributed ledger that records data permanently.

An innovative feature allows advertisers in the agricultural sector to create targeted, trustworthy ads using Web3 blockchain technology.

One of the key advantages is the convenience of accessing fresh produce from home at any time, without the need to wait for physical markets to open.

The bottom line

Many of us pick produce from supermarkets and end up with vegetables that do not look fresh. It helps to instead buy produce from the farmers directly and go through a channel that offers traceability in the supply chain. This way, it is not only possible to consume nutrient-rich meals but also minimise wastage as the fresh produce does not spoil as easily, making it sustainable.

The editorial unit