Neighbor News
Local Farms Band Together to Sell Products During Pandemic
Vernon Family Farm in Newfields Expands Store Offerings From Other Farms
NEWFIELDS__With local farmer’s markets suspended, farmers are working together to sell their products during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
In Newfields, the Vernon Family Farm’s store has become a venue for those products to be sold while gatherings of 10 or more, including outdoor farmer’s markets, are on hold. Their store is currently carrying products from Short Creek, Arkhive Farm, Hurd Farm, Hackamatack Farm, Kellie Brook Farm, Hollister Family Farm, Brookford, Farm, Heart Stone Farm and others.
“We are working hard to help other local vendors and small farmers who really depend on the market income by stocking their products in our farm store,” said Nicole Vernon, who owns and operates the farm with her husband Jeremiah. “We are busy, but the nature of our store means we are not as crowded as traditional markets.”
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Vernon Family Farm has implemented an online platform for curbside no-contact pick up, a mandatory hand washing station, and limited number of customers in the store at once. They have ramped up sanitization efforts inside by frequent cleaning of coolers and adding a hand washing station. The local farm is also keeping their doors open for more air circulation.
“Buying local food means your money goes back to our local community, which is so helpful during the uncertain time we are in,” Vernon said.
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The store has locally raised fresh and frozen meats, eggs, produce, cream, milk, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, spices and fermented food.
“So far we’ve been able to maintain full shelves which definitely has been a positive experience for our customers, especially as traditional markets have experienced bare shelves and uncertain inventory,” Vernon said. “It’s not fun to walk into a grocery store and see empty shelves. That very overwhelming.”
Vernon Family Farm is located at 301 Piscassic Road in Newfields, where their farm store is open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. for local food shopping. Updated information is available on their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/vernonfamilyfarm/ and Instagram pages.
