By Peggy Sue McRae, Journal Contributor.

Shopping locally is good for us and for the planet. When we purchase items from distant places the costs of travel in both money and fossil fuels has to be added into the equation. Buying food grown locally helps keep our local farmers in business and that enhances the quality of life for all islanders. We appreciate the beauty of our farmlands but they are more than scenery. Our local farms are businesses that provide fresh, nutritious, and tasty food.

Of places to purchase locally grown food, San Juan Island Farmers Market, The Food Hub, and San Juan Island Food Co-op stand out as options. Locally grown foods may also be found in our grocery stores (if you look for them) and at roadside farm stands. The Farmers Market, Food Hub, and Food Co-op each focus on locally grown foods.

San Juan Island Farmers Market located at Brickworks, 150 Nichols Street, is a lively place on Saturday mornings. The market is open April through October, Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (less often in winter months). Local farmers bring fresh fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, cheeses, eggs, a variety of prepared foods, and more. Besides great food expect to find flowers, arts and crafts, and entertainment provided by local musicians.

San Juan Islands Food Hub is an online market for food and agricultural products serving Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands. Customers order online for a once a week pick up on Wednesdays. On San Juan pick up is from 4 to 5:30 pm at

Brickworks, on Lopez from 4 to 4:30 p.m. at Taproot, and on Orcas after 4 p.m. at the Orcas Food Co-op. At Brickworks your order is brought to your car. This is especially convenient for anyone with mobility issues plus you have the advantage of shopping goods from the other islands.

San Juan Island Food Co-op is located at 775 Mullis Street #C next to Bakery San Juan. The Co-op “strives to provide access to local and regional food and goods that are organic, sustainable, and fairly produced with the smallest carbon footprint”.

Hours are Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Membership in the Co-op is $35 for a household. Your membership card enables you to shop at other Co-ops. I’ve used mine at the Mt. Vernon and Moscow, Idaho Food Co-ops.

Support local farms and enjoy the bounty!

San Juan Island Farmers Market – http://www.sjifarmersmarket.com

San Juan Islands Food Hub – https://sjifh.com

San Juan Island Food Co-op – https://sanjuancoop.org