By Maggie Edwards 

A network of north Alabama farmers is providing a convenient way for consumers to fill their pantries with local products. 

Customers began placing orders when the Farmer Co-op kicked off in April. Limestone County’s Kristen Stebbins of Stebbins Family Farm realized the need for deliveries and pitched the business idea in February.

“I did a social media survey in January asking the public what keeps them from buying local,” Stebbins said. “The answers stopped me in my tracks. People said they didn’t know where to shop, didn’t have time to shop and wanted deliveries. That’s when I knew I had to figure out how to do this.” 

Her first call was to Marshall County’s Hunter Tolleson, whom she met through local farmers markets and Sweet Grown Alabama. He and wife Erin own Grown By Grace Farms and offer flavorful, seasonal produce to the co-op. 

“I was immediately on board and encouraged Kristen to go for it,” Tolleson said. “People do Walmart pickup all the time. Why not order fresh products and have them delivered straight to your door?” 

More than 125 items from 14 farmers and makers are available at FarmerCo-op.com. The user-friendly website offers categories that range from protein and pantry staples to baked goods and boxes of produce. 

 “We have enough options so people can get everything they want with customizable orders,” said Stebbins, who supplies the co-op’s eggs and baked goods. “It’s important that everything is produced, grown, raised or made in Alabama. We want the supply chain to be as short as possible to positively impact our personal communities.” 

Among those Sweet Grown Alabama products offered is Blue Ridge Cattle Co. beef raised by Cullman County farmers Dylan and Kali Gilbert. They were Stebbins’ second call when the business brainstorming began. 

“We know we can make it easier for busy families like us to support local, so that’s what we are striving to do,” Kali said. “The Farmer Co-op has made it more accessible for people. It’s also great for our family to have the consistent business.” 

The Gilberts run their farm as a small-scale feed lot and are avid advocates for agriculture. They agree the program is a great outlet for agricultural literacy. 

“People are farther removed from the farm today than ever,” Dylan said. “People want to know where their food comes from. This allows us to give this side of production ag a story.”

Customers inside the Farmer Co-op delivery area can receive orders to their door in three easy steps: Sign up, shop local and enjoy. Delivery perimeters stretch from Muscle Shoals to Boaz and Ardmore to Warrior with hopes to expand. Consumers are encouraged to create an account, select frequency of delivery and customize their order. 

Items are delivered once a week. Farmer Co-op’s Facebook page features weekly updates on seasonal produce. 

From coffee and cut-flowers to lamb and lavender, the co-op has something for every family, Stebbins said.

“My goal is for this to be a year-round service,” she said. “I would love to see the idea of this become more common nationwide. Small farms are important. We are capable of feeding a lot of people. This program keeps us going, it keeps us alive. I’m excited to see what the fall season brings.”