WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC Website makes it easy to buy locally grown produce

Website makes it easy to buy locally grown produce

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Crews in Columbus County spent part of Wednesday loading a truck with locally grown produce to distribute in Wilmington. Crews in Columbus County spent part of Wednesday loading a truck with locally grown produce to distribute in Wilmington.
Farmers also said food ordered from www.downeastconnect.com is much fresher than buying from a store. Farmers also said food ordered from www.downeastconnect.com is much fresher than buying from a store.
Farmers take the ordered produce to the Cooperative Extension Building and a van takes the food to Wilmington. Farmers take the ordered produce to the Cooperative Extension Building and a van takes the food to Wilmington.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Some people living in Wilmington are benefiting from eating fresher, healthier food through an unlikely source – the Internet.

Some farmers in Columbus County spent part of Wednesday loading a van with locally grown produce to distribute in Wilmington.

People living in Columbus County and in Wilmington can order produce and meat from farmers in Columbus County online at www.downeastconnect.com.

Every Wednesday, farmers take the ordered produce to the Cooperative Extension Building and a van takes the food to Wilmington.

The business has generated more than $2,000 a week since it launched in June 2011.

Farmers say the website make their job easier because people in Wilmington have access to their produce without having to load up a truck and travel themselves.

Farmers also said food ordered from www.downeastconnect.com is much fresher than buying from a store.

They say the produce is usually picked the day before it's delivered and is normally more organic than produce from a store. 

Organizers at the Cooperative Extension office tell us, they're getting so many orders, they will soon be having two delivery days per week.

They are trying to recruit more farmers and hope to branch out to Myrtle Beach.

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