Aptly named Maureen Farmer, a master gardener and techie, built a site “where people can post free classifieds to sell, trade or give away their surplus backyard garden produce.” The Farmer’s Garden is the spot and it just needs more folks in the Bay Area to sign up (either as a provider or a consumer). I’ve done my part; registration is free and I’m trying to convince some friends with urban chickens to offer their eggs or Meyer lemons for donation.
There are some trust issues to overcome here, but I’m quite open to this model. I’m willing to pay for some locally-grown produce or fruit, but I’d like to know what I’m getting before I see it first. Like Craigslist, I’m sure people will be laidback enough to allow some negotiation when the two parties are together and the potential consumer can see the quality of the goods offered.
My fingers are crossed for more people to join this site! (Factoid: Maureen taught herself PHP, a programming language, within one quarter. And she built this site to practice her skillz. Gulp. Now that’s impressive!)
Great idea… will have to check it out. I always seem to have too many lemons. Thanks.