Cape Cod Harvest in Progress
by Maggie Davis

Have you seen the Cape Cod Green Industry Directory published by the Barnstable Country Cooperative Extension Service? You can click here to download the full 30 page guide to locally grown products such as fruit, vegetables, herbs, and shellfish.

Although Cape Cod is generally associated with just cranberries and fish, there are a whole host of locally produced foods available. Some of these small farmers or food outlets may be right in your neighborhood or a short drive from your home or workplace.

Cranberries have been grown in bogs on the Cape for over 150 years.
The commercial cranberry industry began in Harwich in the early 1800's, when someone noticed that the native cranberry vines of low boggy areas did better when the winter winds blew sand over the vines. In 1846 the first intentional cranberry bog was planted. Of course no one then was aware of the antioxidant content of these tart and tasty berries. Cranberry growing remains an important part of the Cape economy and the cuisine of Cape Cod.

These days, you can still find Eastham turnips and there has also been a significant increase in organic farming, shellfish farming and locally processed food products of all kinds on the Cape. To find out more about Cape Cod food culture we recommend visiting Edible Cape Cod’s website http://www.ediblecapecod.com and subscribing to a quarterly magazine that is an invaluable guide to the numerous locally harvested foods on the Cape.

So, enjoy the season and bring the kids or grandchildren to the local farm stand to buy some fresh local apples and a big pumpkin to celebrate the fall harvest! Remember, eating healthy can be fun!