Shelton’s Farm Market in Niles is greatly expanding its selection of food producing plants for sale. Jim Shelton is pictured here among apple trees. Submitted photo

Jim Shelton, owner of Shelton’s Farm Market and Garden Center in Niles, said he believes more and more people are beginning to grow and consume their own food.

So what’s driving this trend?

Shelton said there are three things.

First, people have more time on their hands to grow their own food. Second, people are looking for ways to save money, and, third, more young people are interested in getting back to local, fresh, out-of-their-garden produce.

“These young people aren’t driven necessarily by economics or anything else other than, ‘hey, I want to do this,’” he said.

To satisfy this growing demand for homegrown produce, Shelton’s Farm Market and Garden Center is expanding the number of food-producing plants it offers this spring.

Right now, Shelton said they’ve ordered 153 food-producing plants.

“I added all that I could think of to add,” he said. “It used to be, if I had raspberries, I may have one variety — now I have six or seven. If I had blueberries, I’d have two varieties — now I have 11.”

Shelton’s Farm Market and Garden Center has also broadened its base of apples to around 25 varieties, while offering several varieties of cherries, cabbage, grapes, pears, peppers, pecans, walnuts, squash, potatoes and plums.

Shelton expects it to be a hit.

“I have no question about it,” he said.

Shelton’s Farm Market is located at 1832 S. 11th St. in Niles. Call the store at (269) 684-3230. Go online to sheltonfarms.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/SheltonFarms.