You've probably noticed that it costs a lot more to fill up your cart at the grocery store these days. The Labor Department says food prices rose almost one percent in April -- the biggest jump in 18 years. But there are alternatives.

Some people are taking food prices into their own hands and that means doing it yourself or having others do it for you locally. It's not only more pleasing to your budget, but also to your taste buds.

Ray Hall, Vegetable Gardner - "Potatoes, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, just the basics."

Ray Hall has been planting the basics in his backyard for nine years now. It took just $30 in seeds to get started and a few hours to till the soil. But it's pays off in savings every summer.

Hall - "Probably a couple hundred dollars."

And you can't beat the taste.

Hall - "I've given the asparagus to several of my neighbors and they say it's the best they've ever tasted... because it's so fresh."

Fresh, healthy and affordable -- that's what's driving more folks to growing their own produce say the folks at Boonsboro Road Hardware.

Anita Wilkerson, Boonsboro Road Hardware - "Part of it is taste, part of it is all the scare stories about all the chemicals in this and a lot of people are asking for heirloom tomatoes which are your best tasting tomatoes."

Wilkerson says she's seen more people looking to grow a variety of veggies. They have a price that's much easier to stomach and a taste you won't find at any grocery store.

Wilkerson - "A real tomato, there is no going back."

But let's say you don't have the time or the green thumbs required.

Dereck Cunningham, Lynchburg Grows - "Because farming takes a lot of time and effort."

Community farming is also an option. You can buy a share at Lynchburg Grows and for $120 a month you can get seasonal produce to feed a family of four, much less than what you'd pay at the grocery store. And you don't even have to get your hands dirty.

Cunningham - "So having someone else do it for you that you can trust, growing your own produce is very helpful."

Lynchburg Grows says they have had an increase in sign-ups. And there are some other community farms out there, Horse and Buggy Produce delivers to Lynchburg weekly.