Shop Your Values: Produce
Providing fresh fruit and vegetables to our community and supporting the local farmers who grow those vegetables are two of our most important goals as a Co-op. We buy all of our produce with these three key values in mind:
Local Economy: Selecting local produce supports small farmers and your community. At the same time, you’ll receive premium flavor and freshness. Why? Because local produce is grown with an emphasis on quality, not quantity, and doesn’t have to withstand commercial harvesting and shipment. In addition, many local producers offer special heirloom varieties unique to your geographical area. Local produce is also easier to trace back to its source to find out what methods and materials were used in its cultivation.
Sustainability: There are many reasons why small farms are sometimes not certified Organic, even when they adhere to high standards of environmental sustainability. Whenever possible we source produce from farms who grow food with integrity, and whose practices we believe in.
Accessibility: We strive to make healthy food affordable to our entire community. We work hard to provide options that everyone can afford!
The Durham Co-op Market is proud to partner with Farmer Foodshare and Eastern Carolina Organics as well as a number of local farmers to bring you produce that is local, in-season, and grown sustainably. We also strive to offer a large variety of produce that meets the needs of our diverse customers here in our Durham community – we want you to find everything you need at the DCM, at a price that you can afford. Fresh fruits and veggies for all!
Terms to Know
Local
There is no official rule about what constitutes local food, but the widely accepted idea is that local food was grown or produced within a 100-mile radius of where it’s sold and eaten. In some instances, however, food originating from within one’s region or even one’s state is considered “local,” depending on the scope of available foods and the location.
Organic
Crops and animals raised organically have not been exposed to synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, genetic modification, growth hormones, or antibiotics. All products labeled “Certified Organic” have been certified by the USDA. However, some farmers classify themselves as “uncertified organic,” meaning they follow organic practices but have not gone through the official process to be certified by the USDA.
Sustainable
This term has no standard definition, but it is generally used to describe food production that does not deplete nonrenewable resources (like petroleum) and is mindful of the well-being of animals, workers, the environment, and the local community. Sustainable agriculture aims to leave the land in the same or better condition than it was found, encouraging a mutually beneficial relationship between the land and its occupants.
Heirloom
Heirloom, or heritage, species are seeds and livestock breeds that have been cultivated over generations. There is no official definition, but it is widely agreed that seeds are naturally pollinated, and a strict interpretation of the term requires that the species be at least fifty years old and not commercially cultivated on an industrial scale.
Our Produce Values
Every product on the shelves at the Durham Co-op Market has been hand-selected by our team with our values in mind:
Supporting the Local Economy
Environmental Stewardship
Affordability
Dignity of Workers
If you ever have any questions, concerns, or suggestions about any product you find at our store, we want to hear it! You can always call us at (919) 973-1707 or email us at info@durham.coop
Learn More
Sarah and Michael’s Farm – Fresh Cut Flowers
Wild Hare Farm