Some farmers' markets now give you a choice - either shop the booths yourself or let someone else prepare an assorted box for you, so you never even have to get out of your car.
The Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) has just launched what it calls a "Bounty Box," full of assorted fruits and vegetables from the same farmers who sell at AIM's markets. Order online, then just drive up on market day and get it loaded straight into trunk.
You can pick one up at farmers' markets at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael, Clement Street in San Francisco and Grand Lake Theater in Oakland.
"We were blown away by the response" said Andy Naja-Riese, AIM's CEO. "We had not done any publicity for it. We put an ordering system on our website and it actually went viral through Nextdoor in our Oakland communities," he added. The boxes are $25 and $45, depending on the size.
RELATED: Coronavirus reactions: California Grocers Association pleads with shoppers to stop overbuying
Lawrie Mott of San Anselmo was thrilled when she learned about the program. "I love the farmers market, but I am in that (health) risk category" said Mott. During the pandemic she is being extra careful, so she was grateful to be able to pick food without having to go into the market. She also wants to keep supporting local farmers.
The farm-box concept is also coming to the rescue of farmers themselves.
"It takes a lot of work, but it's saving the farm" said Annabelle Lenderink, operations manager of Star Route Farms.
Star Route has organic farms in West Marin and the Coachella Valley. They specialize in produce for high end restaurants - so when restaurants closed or cut back business because of COVID-19, Star Route faced potential disaster.
"But we we're extremely lucky to have been able to turn the farm in a different direction" explained Lenderink.
RELATED: Central Valley farm workers practice social distancing as they continue work in fields
Now Star Route's farm workers are packing boxes of assorted produce to sell directly to consumers. You order online, then pick up at designated sites around the Bay Area. Boxes cost $30.
The first week Star Farms sold about 200 boxes. Now just a couple weeks later, they are up to 900 boxes, with 15 pick up sites.
Some other local farms that were already selling food boxes before the pandemic are so busy they now have waiting lists. So look for more local farms and farmers markets to start selling fresh prepacked produce straight to consumers soon.
Some of the farms and many farmers markets accept CalFresh, the updated version of food stamps.
Bank of America just announced a $10,000 donation to support the Agricultural Institute of Marin farm box program. CalFresh customers get boxes for half price.
RELATED: Coronavirus crisis: What does it cost a small business to stay open in the Bay Area right now? A lot
Here is a list of some farmers and farmers' markets selling pre-packed boxes of fresh produce and other farm products available in the Bay Area. Most require you order in advance on line. Some deliver to your home, others are for pick up at farmers' markets or other designated sites. Some farms require a regular subscription.
This is not a complete list, the farm offerings change frequently, and some have waiting lists. The pre-packed boxes are often referred to as CSA's, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture
If you have additions or corrections to this list, please send them to: jennifer.olney@abc.com
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
- Coronavirus data: See how the curve of COVID-19 cases is bending in each Bay Area county
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: ABC7's interactive town hall 'Race and Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation'
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- Coronavirus and the new normal of living in the San Francisco-Bay Area -- COVID-19 Diaries
- Happy hour goes virtual as people try to be sociable while social distancing during COVID-19 crisis
- Coronavirus Outbreak: Here's why you should practice 'social distancing'
- DRONEVIEW7: What the Bay Area looks like during the coronavirus shelter-in-place
- ABC7's drive around San Francisco shows empty streets, businesses shuttered
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
- Asian community fighting racism, xenophobia, bigotry as world fights COVID-19