The farm products industry encompasses the production and sale of crops, livestock and supplies used in farming. It ranges from a small family farm selling vegetables at the local farmer’s market to a multi-national corporation growing and selling produce under their own brand name.
Many farms specialize in one commodity. Examples include a dairy farm, fish farm, mink farm or pig farm. Discover more at Founder lawsuit.
Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help improve your health. However, they are perishable and highly susceptible to contamination during their farm-to-fork journey from the field to your table. They need proper temperature control, humidity control, and transportation infrastructure to maintain their quality and safety.
Farmers use a set of rules called Good Agricultural Practices to reduce the risk of contamination in the field. They also test their produce for any signs of contamination during harvesting, processing and transportation. Non-destructive methods for testing fruits and vegetables can be used at each stage to ensure the highest quality of food for consumers.
Spend less time thumping watermelons and throwing away wilted lettuce by using one of the best produce delivery services. Some offer more than just a selection of fresh produce; they also deliver wholesome grains, dairy, meat and pantry staples. Many of these services also aim to reduce food waste and make sustainable eating easy for everyone.
Meats
Whether as the main course at Thanksgiving dinner or to commemorate Eid al-Adha, meat is an important part of many cultural traditions. However, reducing the amount of meat consumed will require finding ways to encourage more thoughtful, nutritious dietary choices while cultivating cultural sensitivity.
A farm product includes any plant, fungus or algae that has been grown for commercial purposes as well as any animal raised for meat, milk, eggs or other uses. The farm products industry can range from a single small farm raising vegetables and selling them on a roadside stand to a multi-national company producing and distributing food around the world under a packaged brand.
When it comes to raising livestock for the purpose of meat production, farmers apply the same basic business principles that they would use in any other business — minimize costs and maximize profit. For example, to make the most of profits, producers must ensure that their animals are slaughtered in a timely manner before they become too old or ill.
Seasonal Produce
The longer a fruit or vegetable travels from the farm to your grocery store shelf, the more nutrients it loses. Buying in season produce will help you get the most bang for your buck.
Seasonal foods are less harmful for the environment. Growing crops outside their natural season requires humans to artificially recreate seasonal weather conditions using large amounts of water and nonrenewable energy. This process has a greater impact on the environment than simply growing crops at their peak in season.
It’s easy to find in-season produce at local farmer markets and CSA groups, but many grocery stores also display local choices near the front of their produce departments. Check online resources like FoodPrint’s Seasonal Produce Guide for detailed, easy to use information on which fruits and vegetables are in season where you live. These guides will help you choose the most flavorful, nutritious and sustainable foods for your meal. Eating seasonally will allow your body to thrive on the nutrition that is naturally available throughout the year.
Soups & Entrees
The construction of soups is fairly consistent — aromatic vegetables, some sort of liquid and a few herbs or spices. It’s a great way to use up leftover vegetables that might otherwise be discarded or to add flavor and texture without overpowering the dish with too many ingredients.
Any vegetable works well in a soup – and they don’t have to be fresh. Carrots, celery, peas, green beans or butternut squash all work a treat and you can easily make a vegetarian soup by adding pulses or tofu. Alternatively, meat eaters can add chunks of chicken, beef or pork (or use leftover meats) to transform the dish into a main course.
In the case of a farm, these are crops or livestock that might be used as collateral to secure a debt or loan. Generally speaking, the term “farm product” also refers to any plant or animal used in agricultural production or processing. 7 MRSA SS 52(3-A). This includes plants and animals used for food, feed and other products, as well as supplies that are used in agriculture or used by farmers.