Farm Fresh Delivery, a company based in Indianapolis that has expanded to Cincinnati, will provide economic chances for area growers, 50 attendees of "Time to Grow: Your Food, Your Profits, Your Opportunities" learned Feb. 27.

"he model marries current technology (www.farmfreshdelivery.com) with distribution systems" to connect local producers with buyers, noted Paul Freeland, treasurer of the event sponsor, Food and Growers Association of Laughery Valley & Environs. Two 30ish entrepreneurs are “solving some of the problems that Batesville as a community is looking to solve,"such as where to sell fruits, vegetables and other farm items on a consistent basis and how to use surplus produce.

Founder Matt Ewer, who grew up on a small Marian farm, began selling sweet corn door to door from a red wagon at 7. After college, he continued his passion for agriculture by experimenting with delivery systems, shipping produce boxes by plane from Seattle to Alaska.

When Ewer moved to Indianapolis, he discovered "a new market of people wanting to live healthy ... and support people in their own community."

Ewer considers the two-year-old endeavor “a virtual grocery store."People order online by Monday, then produce, frozen meats that come with ice packs and other edibles are delivered in reusable green plastic bins Tuesday-Friday to not just homes, but also restaurants. "Customers don't even have to be home."

"We'll choose 12-14 items of produce for bins," then participants can add and subtract what they want. In the summer, most items come from Tristate farms. In winter, it's U.S.-grown, but probably not near here. About 1,500 deliveries are made in the two cities weekly.

"Batesville is strategically located in the middle of both," he pointed out. "We drive two trucks a week" between the two cities, trading produce from both ends in Batesville. Ewer told producers, "We feel you are in a very good location for this business."

Farmers ask Ewer and co-owner John Freeland what they should raise. "I always tell them to grow what they're good at. Some people are really good at growing lettuces, some are great at berries."

He reported urban residents "don't understand how hard it is to grow food." In January, one asked, "Where are the tomatoes?" A woman wanted to know why there was dirt on her carrots.

About 400 commodities are listed on the Web site. In their quest for organic produce, milk, cheese, bread, eggs, meats, spices, honey, chocolate, fresh ground coffee and tea, "we're past 50 and on our way to 100 local businesses we do business with on a weekly level," according to the owner. Farmers extend from Kentucky to Wisconsin. So far there's one from southeastern Indiana - Riehle's Select Gourmet Popcorn, Sunman.

One benefit growers appreciate: "When you make a delivery, we write a check."

Attendees had questions. FGA President Kathy Cooley, Batesville, asked, "What are some of the qualities you look for from a farmer?" - We believe in sustainable farm growth," he replied. "We don't use (items containing) a lot of hormones or antibiotics," favoring instead "growing the old-fashioned way."

Karen Kestler, Batesville, wanted to know if vendors pay fees. No was the answer. Produce is scheduled to be purchased a week in advance. Growers only participate when they have sufficient quantities.

Karen Enneking, Oldenburg, asked about a minimum volume. Ewer explained, "It can't be 20," but smaller amounts that cannot go in every bin can be put on the substitution list.

Richard Salatin, Moores Hill, questioned if the farmer must deliver items or if they are picked up by the company. "Both, depending on the grower."

Mary Stephens, Batesville, wondered if Farm Fresh Delivery only sells in two cities. "Now, yes," but maybe in the future it will expand to smaller cities, Ewer said. "We wouldn't want to compete with CSA (Community Supported Agriculture, produce boxes picked up weekly) in Batesville," but owners might consider delivering here in the wintertime, when CSA does not operate.

Ewer predicted, "We have just tipped the iceberg of what we can do with local agriculture. People are ready to buy local." He imagines also selling to school systems and businesses down the road.

"look at Batesville ... you have tremendous assets - topsoil (and) ... farms. We're looking to build relationships."