"Produce Auctions offer a unique view of the production capabilities of some of our agricultural communities. They are generally associated with Amish and Mennonite communities, and focus on bulk purchasing for commercial buyers in a true auction style. Most however, have associated retail and small lots opportunities, and also offer a chance for the family buyer to obtain quantities in bulk for canning or re-selling or gifting to your neighbors." - Ohio Food Shed
Up until a few weeks ago I had never heard of a produce auction. While online, I came across a blog that talked about buying produce at an auction and getting tomatoes for as little as $0.10 / pound. Then, a week or two later I was discussing with someone how they had been to a produce auction and had purchased 80 dozen ears of corn for preserving, both canning and freezing, for the winter months.
A little online research and I found out that in Ohio there are several produce auctions that take place around the State. On Our Ohio website you can type Auction into the search menu and it will show you all the auctions that take place around the state. Some have websites of their own and some just have the information of when they take place with a contact phone number and email.
After reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle I set a goal of preserving fresh produce for use during the colder months. Since my garden produces basically enough for us to eat through the growing season, but not really enough to preserve, purchasing produce from an auction in bulk allows me to preserve more for the coming months.
We went to the Owl Creek Produce Auction in Morrow County:
Owl Creek Produce Auction
Kelly Brown
5885 Morrow Co. Rd. 22
Fredericktown, OH 43019
(740) 627-1660
Email: owlcreekauction@yahoo.com
Year round on Friday beginning at 9 a.m. Also the last Wednesday in April through second Wed. in Oct. beginning at 10 a.m. In addition first Monday in June through first Mondy in Oct. beginning at 11 a.m.
Other:
Baked Goods, Honey, Cider, Jams & Jellies, Eggs, Maple Syrup
Fruits and Vegetables:
Pumpkins, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Cherries, Plums, Peppers, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Peas, Carrots, Pears, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Peaches, Cabbage, Turnips, Onions, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Melons, Blueberries, Sweet Corn, Lettuce, Black Raspberries, Strawberries, Herbs, Blackberries, Squash, Greens, Beets, Rhubarb, Grapes, Beans, Red Raspberries, Asparagus, Radishes, Eggplant, Apples
Plants:
Annuals, Perennials, Bedding Plants, Shrubs (container), Trees (balled & burlap), Trees (container), vegetable plants.
Pictured above is what we purchased. All total we spent just under $50. The breakdown of what we purchased is as follows:
3 quarts of potatoes @ $1.40 each = $4.20
4 dozen ears of corn @ $2.00 each = $8.00
10 lb. tomatoes @ $5 each x 2 = $10.00
Peppers @ $7 each x 2 = $14.00
Mums @ $2.90 each x 4 = $11.60
What did we do with all this produce? We blanched corn and froze. We made tomato sauce and canned and froze. We cut up peppers and froze them.
In future DIY posts on Saving Family Green will describe how to blanch and freeze corn and making tomato sauce including the recipes.
Note: Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links. You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here.
Tweet
are available on 
