After tending vegetables, berries, and herbs all week on her small farm in Western Maine, Deborah Chadbourne sits at her computer every Friday morning and types a list of items ready for harvest. She e-mails the list to www.westernmainemarket.com, which posts it later in the day.
Virtual farmers’ markets have emerged in recent years as a supplement to physical farmers’ markets. Online markets can simplify marketing for growers, while making shopping easier for customers.
Last year, New Hampshire launched a statewide virtual farmers’ market, www.nhfarms.com, with links to nearly a hundred local farmers. The Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets hopes to start a statewide online farmers’ market next year, with home-delivery options in some communities.
Kimberly Trider-Grant, who lives in Leeds, Maine, and works in the financial aid office of the University of Maine at Farmington, said the virtual market works fine for her.
“I see what all of the farmers are offering, and I can plan my meals for the week, submit the order, and pick it up in my car pool,’’ Trider-Grant said. “It’s nice to go to the farmers’ market on the weekend, but I can do this in the evening in my pajamas.’’
