Strong Family Farm Says “No Thank You” to Out of State Peaches

While other Connecticut farm stands sell locally grown foods and products alongside those from other states, the farm stand at Strong Family Farm sells only Connecticut grown and made goods. That means while other farm stands can offer lettuce, tomatoes and fruit out of season, as grocery stores do, the Strong Family Farm will not. It’s a gutsy move for the organization as the farm stand’s revenue will be tied, in part, to the availability of seasonal produce from Connecticut farmers.

As an historical non-profit whose purpose is to give people an authentic family farm experience, the decision to go with nothing but Connecticut grown and made goods was a no-brainer. According to Nancy Strong Executive Director, “I don’t think there was any discussion about whether we’d go 100% with Connecticut goods or not. It was just a given that it was the right thing for us to do.” That meant more work for the farm stand committee members as they now had to find and reach agreements with individual farmers and makers. In some cases that meant having to compete with grocery stores and even the wholesale market. “We don’t have any garlic to sell,” Nancy explained, “because the yield wasn’t good this year. The farmer had just enough for their wholesaler and couldn’t spare any for us. It was also a bad year for Connecticut peaches.”

Another way the farm stand at Strong Family Farm (SFF) lives up to its heritage is with the additional items they stock. Connecticut family farmers raised, baked, or canned what they ate. Then they sold or traded their goods for other items the family needed. That’s why at the farm store you’ll also find:

· SFF Adopt-a-Chicken eggs, duck eggs and free range chicken eggs

· Baked goods and kettle corn

· Canned goods using the farm’s own produce

· Honey and beeswax candles, ice cream, milk,

· And more!

The Strong Family Farm also gives visitors the chance to experience life on a Connecticut family farm by encouraging them to “pick your own fresh from the garden”.

The Strong Family Farm (http://www.strongfamilyfarm.org/) is located at 274 West Street, Vernon, CT 06066. The Farm Stand is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (860) 874-9020