If you’re a regular at the Maple Grove Farmers Market, then you’ve seen the harvest of eQuality Farms. They offer USDA-certified organic produce from their farm in Buffalo, Minnesota. Crops are grown by adult staff and associates with developmental disabilities. “We also have an additional 40 individuals of the same population who use the farm for programmatic/educational purposes on a weekly basis,” says David Gray, eQuality Farms director.
EQuality grows vegetables, including summer and winter squash, bell peppers, herbs, root vegetables and potatoes, but is known at the market for its heirloom tomatoes, lettuce mixes and cut flowers. You can grace your home each week with its bright sunflowers or zinnias, grown locally.
Community-supported agriculture shares are also a valuable option offered by eQuality. Buy a share of the farm and you can drop by the farmers market each week to pick up a pre-packaged box of seasonal produce, which means you can experience new vegetable tastes and always have ultra-fresh vegetables at hand, along with suggested ways of cooking them.
Visit the market in the Community Center parking lot on Thursdays, 3-6 p.m. for three weeks in October, through the 20th.
