There is a quiet revolution happening in Erie County, PA. More families are choosing to buy their food directly from local farms, and the reasons go far beyond just taste — although the taste difference is remarkable. Choosing local means healthier food, a stronger community, and a better environment. Here is why it matters.

Healthier Food Starts with How It Is Raised

The nutrition in your food is directly connected to how it was produced. Take eggs as an example. A study published in the journal Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems found that pasture-raised eggs contained twice as much vitamin E, nearly three times more omega-3 fatty acids, and significantly more vitamin A compared to conventional eggs from caged hens.

At Deer Run Acres, our laying hens have full access to the outdoors 365 days a year. They are rotated on pasture in their mobile Egg Mobile, eating grass, bugs, worms, and all sorts of nutrient-dense natural food sources. We supplement with non-GMO feed, but the bulk of their nutrition comes from what nature provides.

The result is an egg that looks and tastes completely different from what you find in a grocery store. The yolks are deep orange — not pale yellow — which is a visual indicator of higher nutrient density. The flavor is richer, and the shells are stronger.

The same principle applies to meat. Our 100% grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork come from animals that lived their lives on pasture, eating what they were biologically designed to eat. The result is meat that is higher in omega-3s, lower in total fat, and richer in vitamins and antioxidants.

Supporting Your Local Economy

When you spend money at a local farm, that money stays in the community in a way that big-box grocery spending simply does not. Local farmers buy supplies from local feed stores, use local butcher shops, and spend their income at local businesses.

According to the USDA, farms that sell directly to consumers generate significantly more economic activity per dollar of revenue than commodity farms. Every dollar you spend at a local farm creates a ripple effect that strengthens the entire local economy.

In Erie County, local farms provide jobs, maintain open green spaces, and preserve the agricultural character that makes our region special. When you buy from Deer Run Acres, you are not just buying food — you are investing in the future of local agriculture.

Better for the Environment

Industrial agriculture is responsible for a staggering amount of environmental damage — soil erosion, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss. Local, regenerative farms offer a fundamentally different model.

At Deer Run Acres, our regenerative practices actually improve the environment. Our rotational grazing builds soil organic matter, which sequesters carbon and improves water infiltration. Our diverse pastures support pollinators, songbirds, and other wildlife. Our integrated livestock system (cattle followed by chickens) reduces parasite loads naturally without chemicals.

When you buy local, you also reduce the transportation footprint of your food. Instead of your dinner traveling thousands of miles in a refrigerated truck, it travels a few miles from a nearby farm. The environmental savings add up quickly.

Knowing Your Farmer

Perhaps the most underrated benefit of buying local is the relationship you build with the people who grow your food. When you know your farmer, you can ask questions, visit the farm, and understand exactly how your food was raised. That level of transparency is impossible with industrial food.

At Deer Run Acres, we welcome visitors. We offer farm tours so families can see our cattle on pasture, meet our laying hens, and understand our regenerative practices firsthand. We believe that connection between farmer and customer is one of the most valuable things about local food.

How to Start Buying Local in Erie County

Getting started is easier than you think. Here are a few ways to connect with local farms in Erie County:

Visit a farmer's market. Erie County has several farmer's markets where local producers sell directly to the public.

Check for roadside farm stands. Many farms, including ours at 6823 Old State Rd in Edinboro, have self-serve farm stands where you can pick up products like eggs anytime.

Subscribe for delivery. At Deer Run Acres, we offer egg subscription delivery throughout Erie County on the 1st and 3rd weekends of each month. It is the easiest way to get farm-fresh food on a regular schedule.

Order in bulk. For beef and pork, buying a quarter, half, or whole animal is the most economical option. It fills your freezer with months of healthy, local meat at a fraction of the per-pound cost of grocery store grass-fed options.

The choice to buy local is one of the simplest and most impactful things you can do for your health, your community, and the environment. We hope you will give it a try.