For more than a decade, eggs have been produced at the Bramble Creek farms near Little Hocking. owners Jackie LeBerth and Mike Neeley say they have more than 100 customers for their farm-produced products, and they believe the latest recall controversy will bring more consumers their way.

"You want to stay away from the hazards of commercially-raised food," Neeley says. "Buy what you can locally, from a local farmer."

LeBerth admits there are some supermarket chains which purchase their produce and dairy items from local growers. But they argue dealing more directly with a farmer means getting fresher and healthier products.

"The farmers at the farmers market who sell there and at roadside stands, that's just common-place customer service," says LeBerth. "We want folks to feel safe about their food, because we want them to be our customer for the rest of their lives, and our lives."

They say part of the difference is naturally-grown and bred chickens...and the absence of chemicals used to produce larger egg yields. And they say the problem of recall-related illnesses is not just related to the Iowa problems...it's been a problem for years, with recalls for products ranging from peanuts to peppers.

Says LeBerth: "We were right; we've been doing it right for a long time, and now people are paying attention."

The Parkersburg Farmers Market is open Tuesdays and Fridays into the fall...and the River City Farmers Market in Marietta is open Wednesdays at the Washington County Fairgrounds.