Healthy Eating Made Easy with LocalFarmOK
I’ve always been interested in eating more locally grown produce, but I haven’t exactly known where to start. Seasonal farmers markets are often just that — seasonal — and living in the city’s center means the convenience of popping over to the nearest grocery store generally wins out.
Needless to say, I was instantly intrigued when I heard about LocalFarmOK. This family-owned farm works with other farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma to deliver varied fresh produce to people’s front doors. Owners Ashley and Ben Neal have been delivering farm-fresh foods in Tulsa since 2015, and they expanded to my hometown of Oklahoma City in December 2020.
“This isn’t just a business. It’s a passion,” Ashley said. “We deliver the farmer's market to your doorstep, making it easy to eat healthily and support farms and local businesses year-round.”
Interested in trying LocalFarmOK? Here’s what you need to know:
Bag Type and Delivery Frequency. The Farm Bag features 6 items, while the Variety Bag includes 8 items. Bags can be delivered either every week or every other week, and pricing ranges from $19.99 to $26.99. LocalFarmOK also charges a $16 annual Membership Fee. This is likely more expensive than what you’re used to paying for produce at the grocery store, but the higher price for shopping local means you’re helping reduce your carbon footprint.
Seasonal Produce. What’s included in your delivery will depend upon the season. My first bag (pictured above), which I received right before Thanksgiving, was filled with mushrooms, oranges, garlic, shallots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, cranberries, lettuce, fresh herbs and green beans. At this time, all bags are the same, containing the “Farmer’s Choice” offerings of the week. This can be a downside, of course, to people who are allergic to certain foods or who simply don’t care for specific ingredients.
Even More Local. In addition to the produce that’s included in your delivery, you can add on tons of other locally made products, ranging from hummus and artisan bread to fresh juice and kombucha. These products work great as snacks or can help you round out a meal you’re already planning.
Recipes Galore. Unsure what to do with all those fruits and veggies? Browse LocalFarmOK’s blog, which includes tons of recipes. Members also receive recipes via email prior to each delivery.
Check out LocalFarmOK’s FAQ page for even more info.
Images provided by LocalFarmOK
I definitely enjoyed trying LocalFarmOK, and I highly recommend the service to people who are interested in making room in their budgets for locally grown produce! Below, check out a few recipes I whipped up with my recent deliveries.
RECIPES:
RED LENTIL & WALNUT BOLOGNESE
For a hearty plant-based pasta sauce, look no further than this Red Lentil & Walnut Bolognese! I love this sauce because it’s, well, hella thick and meaty without actually containing meat. It pairs perfectly over any pasta (we usually opt for the gluten-free variety), whether you prefer spaghetti or rotini or even macaroni shells.
Another great thing about this Red Lentil & Walnut Bolognese is that it’s naturally vegan + gluten-free. We did end up topping our pasta with a bit of cheese + Italian parsley, but this is totally optional.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH YUZU PONZU MISO SAUCE
If you're a fan of Asian flavors + Brussels sprouts, then you'll LOVE these Brussels Sprouts with Yuzu Ponzu Miso Sauce. Miso adds umami and richness to the sprouts, and Yuzu Ponzu sauce incorporates tanginess and saltiness. Topping a healthy stir-fry dish with these Brussels sprouts brings even more fiber and antioxidants to an already nutrient-packed meal!
CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH SPAGHETTI WITH CRISPY PARMESAN BREADCRUMBS
This Creamy Butternut Squash Spaghetti recipe has quickly become a favorite in our house. Seasoned with fresh sage and thyme and topped with salty/garlicky parmesan breadcrumbs, this healthy-fied pasta recipe is packed with flavor and is absolutely addicting. See the ingredients list in the blog post for easy substitutions to make it vegan, too!
Disclosure: I received free produce shipments from LocalFarmOK in order to share my opinion about their products and services. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.