About
Garrett Growers is a farmer-owned cooperative of small produce farms in and around Garrett County. It sells its members' vegetables to residents through weekly Veggie Boxes and à la carte orders placed online, and to restaurants, caterers, grocers and institutions across the region. Its listed base is the Extension office on Maryland Highway in Mountain Lake Park, and orders are picked up or delivered rather than sold from a walk-in stand.
How the Co-op Works
Garrett Growers grew out of a 2010 meeting of local producers looking for ways to expand their sales, with support from University of Maryland Extension. The group filed articles of incorporation in December 2011 and set up its board and membership in January 2012, starting with eleven farmers. The co-op handles packing, labeling and delivery so member farmers can spend their time growing.
It is 100% owned and controlled by the farmers it serves. Officers and board members are farmers, operating costs are paid from commissions on sales, and year-end profits are distributed as the members decide. Some member farms grow organically and others more conventionally, and none are certified organic. DeBerry Farm Fresh Produce in Oakland is one of the farms that sells through the co-op.
Ordering Veggie Boxes and Produce
- Weekly Veggie Box subscriptions, or individual items from that week's available produce
- Online ordering through the co-op's website
- Pickup, or home delivery within a limited area, with contactless delivery on request
- Past seasons have included pickup points in Oakland, McHenry, Accident, Grantsville and Kitzmiller
Member farms use season-extension techniques, so local produce is available from early spring through late fall.
Before You Go
The co-op's latest dated news post is from 2023, so check the website or Facebook page for the current season's ordering window. You can email the co-op to confirm whether your address falls inside the delivery area.
If you'd like a box of Garrett County vegetables without visiting several farms, a call or an email is the easiest way to get started.
Address
Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550