Food
How to Support Local Farmers (Beyond Just Buying)
Buying from local farmers is the most direct way to support them. But it's not the only way — and sometimes the things that don't cost money make the biggest difference. Here are nine ways to support the farmers and food producers in your community.
1. Buy directly, not through middlemen
When you buy local food through a direct channel — a farm stand, a farmers market, or a platform like Rootly — the farmer keeps a much larger share of the sale price. Grocery stores and distributors take significant margins. A farmer selling a dozen eggs at $6 through Rootly keeps nearly all of it. That same farmer selling wholesale to a grocery store might get $1.50.
2. Leave reviews
This is one of the most underrated ways to help a local food producer. A genuine review on their Rootly store does three things: it builds social proof for new buyers who are on the fence, it boosts the seller's visibility in search results, and it gives the farmer real feedback about what they're doing well.
Take 30 seconds after your next pickup to leave an honest review. It costs you nothing and can genuinely grow someone's business.
3. Follow your favorite sellers
On Rootly, following a seller means you get notified when they post new products, host events, or share updates. This keeps you connected to what's available and helps the seller build a reliable customer base. A seller with 50 followers has a built-in audience every time they list something new.
4. Share their store with friends
Word of mouth is the single most powerful marketing channel for local food producers. Most small farmers don't have marketing budgets. When you text a friend "you have to try these eggs from [farm name]" and share the link, you're doing something no ad can replicate — a trusted personal recommendation.
After picking up an order on Rootly, you'll see an option to share. Use it. Or just copy the store link and send it to anyone who'd appreciate great local food.
5. Eat seasonally
When you adjust your eating habits to match what's locally available, you become a more reliable customer for local producers. Buying asparagus in May, tomatoes in August, and apples in October means you're buying when supply is high and quality is at its peak.
Seasonal eating also reduces the temptation to buy out-of-season produce that's been shipped from thousands of miles away. Use our harvest calendar to see what's in season right now in Michigan.
6. Be a patient and communicative buyer
Small-scale farmers are not Amazon. Sometimes items are out of stock. Sometimes pickup times shift. Sometimes the tomatoes are smaller than expected because it's been a dry summer. Grace and understanding go a long way.
If you have questions or concerns, message the seller directly. Most are happy to explain and appreciate buyers who communicate rather than silently disappearing.
7. Pay on time and tip generously
When you order through Rootly, payment is handled automatically — but the spirit of this point still matters. Don't haggle with small farmers. Don't ask for discounts on already-fair prices. These producers are often earning less per hour than minimum wage. A generous spirit makes the relationship sustainable for both sides.
8. Advocate for local food in your community
Talk to your school board about sourcing local produce for school lunches. Ask your workplace to consider local food options for catered events. Support policies that fund farmers markets, protect farmland, and reduce barriers for small food businesses.
The structural stuff matters. Every Michigan farmer benefits when the ecosystem around local food gets stronger.
9. Show up consistently
The single most helpful thing you can do for a local farmer is be a repeat customer. Not just when it's convenient or trendy, but week after week, season after season. Consistent demand is what allows a farmer to plan, invest, and grow. Your regular weekly egg order means more than a one-time splurge.
Local food is a relationship, not a transaction. Find sellers to support near you on Rootly.