Launched on July 15th by the University of Maryland, Food Trader is a new website that helps local consumers to buy directly from local farmers. There are already over 200 farmers on the site offering specialty cuts of meat, fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey, dairy products and even goat's milk soap. It's an online farmer's market!

Some of the available products come from organic farms, and we also noticed some local wines listed. Consumers can post wanted ads for items they wish to purchase, and farmers can use the site to organize donations of unwanted or unused food.

We think this is an interesting initiative and wonder if any or our readers have used this service? If so, would you recommend it to others?

• Visit Food Trader - Maryland Online Farmers Market

- Colleen