Flickr User khawkins04
Fresh produce at the Brant Family Farm.

What's a CSA? Where are the local farms? What restaurants use locally grown produce? Read on for answers to these questions and more.

TheDigitel has gathered information for finding out more about local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), pick-it-yourself farms, farmers markets, roadside stands and even local area restaurants that carry fresh local produce.

A little back story:

In 2006 the State of South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture set off to find a way to promote goods made, manufactured, produce and grown with in SC. It was their effort to increase awareness of a "buy local, support local" mentality.

Certified South Carolina was born. 

Certified South Carolina is a cooperative effort among producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) to brand and promote South Carolina products. 

Agribusiness is about public interest in sustainability and growth of locally grown and produce products. The SCDA, through its Certified South Carolina program, wants to draw more public awareness of products grown and made in our own backyard by marketing and branding. The SCDA kicked it off with a large ad campaign that ran on billboards, TV and within print media. As it stands today the Certified South Carolina program is synonymous with the stickers associated with all products participating in the program.

As an offshoot of the Certified South Carolina, the SCDA launched the Fresh On the Menu program. With its primary goal “to increase the per-capita income of rural South Carolinians through the generation of agricultural commerce,” restaurants throughout South Carolina have become partners in the effort. At least 25% of the menus of participating restaurants have to use Certified South Carolina Grown foods and products in season to feature the Fresh on the Menu brand.

Fresh on the Menu is a commitment to provide South Carolina citizens the freshest products and produce from some of the nation's best restaurants. This program will work to use our greatest resources to help to ensure that South Carolinians can act progressively and think competitively in the global economy of our future. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture challenges all South Carolinians to support, ask for and remember "Locally Grown," It's To Dine For.

If you're a local restaurant owner that's looking for local produce, check out the Myrtle Beach Chef and Farmer Exchange (CAFE for short) hosted by Myrtle Beach Restaurant News. Details are here.

TheDigitel wants to do its part in supporting local farmers and producers by providing our readers with a comprehensive list of local area farmers and restaurants. It is worth noting that not all farms, farmers and roadside stands listed below participate in the official South Carolina program. Please feel free to add to the list.

Local Area Farmers Markets

• Downtown Conway Farmers Market
• Myrtle's Market 
• North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market
• The Loris Farmer’s Market
• Farmer's Market in Pawleys Island
• Farmer's Market East Bay Park
• The Market Common (on Deville Street, currently seasonal) 

Local Farms

• J&W Produce
• Millgrove Farm
• Thompson Farms & Nursery
• Hyman Vineyards
• Tyler’s Produce
• Indigo Farms
• LaBelle Amie Vineyards
• Sugar Foot Farms

Local Area CSAs

• Sugar Foot Farms
• Thomposon Farms & Nursey
• J&W Produce

Roadside Stands

• Bellamy Farms - 4257 East Hwy. 9, Loris, SC 29569
• Cad's Produce - 3589 Holmestown Rd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
• Holmes Farms - 3607 Hwy. 66, Loris, SC 29569
• Indigo Farms - 2000 Hwy. 57, Little River, SC 29566
• Tyler's Produce - 4800 Hwy. 378, Conway, SC 29527
• Wards Produce - 5105 Hwy. 501 W., Conway, SC 29526

Fresh On The Menu Participating Restaurants

• Aspen Grille
• Cafe' Amalfi
• Crady's Restaurant
• Croissants Bistro & Bakery
• Hannah Banana's Sunshine Cabana
• Fisheye Grill
• Rivertown Bistro
• Salsaritas Fresh Cantina
• Village Cafe
• WaterScapes

Grocery Stores Getting in On the Action

Local food chain Lowe's Foods is doing its part in helping connect consumers with farmers. They now offer the "Locally Grown Club."

Want more?

• My Green Glasses has a great article on Certified Grown SC. Swing over to check it out.