The Savvy Shopper

If you didn't get a chance to visit the Farm Fresh Market over the summer, don't despair - you now have the chance to order in-season fresh fruits and veggies on-line. Yes, that's right - order on-line from the convenience of your home or office. You have two options to choose from - either the Urban Boxes which are available for pick-up on Tuesdays or custom orders which are available for pick-up on Fridays.

The Urban Boxes are either "full urban boxes" or "half urban boxes" ($30 and $17.50, repectively) and come packed with different fruits and vegetables of the week. Example: Boxes ready for Oct. 20 will feature 1- 12 Oz. Fig Walnut Rye bread, 1- 8 Oz. Arugula, 1 pt.- Heirloom Yellow Pear tomatoes, 3 Lbs- Sweet Potato Medley, 3 lbs- Mountain Fresh Tomatoes, 5 Lbs- Apple Medley, 3 Lbs- Butternut Squash, 1- Dozen Farm Fresh Eggs ($30 box). The Half Urban Box will contain basically the same items, only half as much!

Custom ordering allows you to choose any quantity you wish from numerous selections. Prices are listed per item or pound. Minimum order is $30 and payment may be electronic or C.O.D. with check when you pick up order.

Now to the fun part - ORDERING! Simply go to http://www.farmersfreshmarket.org/. You must first register with a user name and password. When you are asked your company name, simply enter"Metropolitan Buying Club". After you have registered and are signed in - start shopping and adding items to your shopping cart! Categories are listed in the left hand side bar and "The Urban Box" is located in the "Other" category.

What a great way to get local produce. When you go to pick up your purchases at Foothills Connect, which is located in the Woodrow Jones Bldg. in downtown Rutherfordton (corner of Main & Court Sts). - be sure to say "thank you" to Kirk Wilson for coming up with such a great program. Kudos to Tim, Kirk, Pat and Anna at Foothills Connect!!