The purple ribbon tells you you're in the right place.

After a bunch of people decided they didn't want their food imported from around the country or the world, they developed a program called Purple Porch Co-op.

"One of the originators of the idea has a purple porch," explains Greg Koehler, one of the creators.

The Good Shepherd Montessori School in South Bend turns into a farmers market Wednesday nights. But this one works a little differently. Over the weekend, folks can go onto the website, www.purpleporchcoop.com, and see what food is available that week. Then they can pick up their order on Wednesdays.

"Just focus on the healthy food that's produced right in our community," shares Wendy Chapman, as she picks up her produce.

"It's fresher produce. Our tomatoes were picked this morning," adds one of the famers, Chris Hebron from Family Farms Cooperative.

This model allows the shoppers to meet the farmers who grow their food, essentially, eliminating the middle man.

"You get to talk to the people actually growing your food,” says Rob North, who is selling vegetables and flowers.

"I just like to support small, local farmers, giving them a way to sell their produce that they might not otherwise have as large of a market for," shares Kathryn Anderson as she checks out what’s fresh this week. "Most of the produce is picked on the same day I pick it up and you can tell because it tastes really fresh."

You can find fruits, vegetables, meat, bread, flowers and other things like honey at Purple Porch. While the cost may be lower because there aren’t things like transportation costs, there is an annual $35.00 fee to join.

"We spend all our money on good food,” says Helen Oliver. “And then we cook it."