They may be called Old Friends Farm, but they are new to Food Connects! We are excited to have Old Friends Farm on as one of our newest producers. Owned and operated by longtime friends, Missy Bahret and Casey Steinberg, Old Friends Farm is located in Amherst, MA.

Their four Core Values are Integrity, Balance, Harmony, and Fun and exemplify those values through how they treat their employees. “We chose,” says Casey “to prioritize our employees in our business making decisions. One such way we have done this is committing to a $15 minimum starting wage as of 2019.”

Old Friends Farm is Certified Organic and is proud to be the recipient of multiple Good Food Awards (Winners and Finalists). They are widely known for pioneering Northeast-grown Ginger and Turmeric, and for the Specialty Products they make with these powerful roots. Which makes their products that we carry unique—the delicious certified organic ginger and turmeric which they grow on the farm!

Casey couldn’t decide on a favorite product. “That is always such a difficult question, as we love them all! We try our best to avoid 'playing favorites' because we want to make sure to give each product the full attention it deserves.” Our Marketing Manager, Laura Carbonneau, highly recommends the Elderberry Tumeric Honey to add new flavor to your favorite drinks.

Why is selling locally and the local food movement is important to Casey and Missy? “We strongly believe in knowing from where (and by whom) our food comes,” says Casey. “When you choose produce and products grown and made by Old Friends Farm, you know you are supporting a local business that prioritizes its employees above all else. In our eyes, sourcing local is only part of the equation. Other vital parts include fair pay to employees and owners, responsible stewardship of the land, collaboration between local and regional networks, and creating a positive, thriving workplace for all involved, and being financially secure.”

We just love the products we are able to provide from Old Friends Farm. They are, of course, delicious, but something unique to our customers. And Casey likes working with us too! “Food Connects helps us access customers and communities with whom we would otherwise not be able to reach. Our energy is best utilized by focusing on our farm, our production, and our crew. We are grateful for Food Connects for its strength in distribution and connecting with our larger food system community. It allows us to do the things we do well, and still having the confidence that someone else is doing the marketing, connecting, and distributing well. Thanks, Food Connects!”

Be sure to follow Old Friends Farm Instagram: @oldfriendsfarm and sign up for their newsletter on their Website: www.oldfriendsfarm.com.