The pandemic has prompted farmers to get creative.

Lots of fresh produce is produced in Miami-Dade County, but since the lockdown, it has become much more difficult to sell it in person. That is why one South Florida farmer got the idea to utilize technology to keep his business alive during this ongoing pandemic. With help from the Federal Government’s Small Business Administration’s new loan program to help agriculture businesses, Sam Accursio launched an online marketplace where customers would drive up and pick up their freshly grown produce.

When traditional markets started collapsing during Miami-Dade’s peak growing season, Accursio switched over to a direct-to-consumer model after observing how customers would wait in line to access farmer’s markets.

With everyone ordering online, the South Florida farmer got the idea to start an online market where customers can place their orders and set up an appointment time for pickup. The farmer and his company are now offering a mixed produce box that caters to a family of four and includes basics and seasonal favorites such as tomatoes, blueberries, squash, and pickles.

Accursio’s farm is also working with other Florida growers in northern Florida to sell directly to consumers.

So far, “The response has been great,” according to Accursio, as reported by Local 10 news.