Latest news with #USDACertifiedOrganic
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Naugatuck farm expands operations to Milford
MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The owners of Sunset Farm in Naugatuck expanded their organic farming operations to Milford. This is the first USDA Certified Organic farm in the city. In 2019, Kaitlyn Kimball and Lawrence Passeck left their jobs as an English teacher and a carpenter to become farmers. 'We have always been passionate about sustainability and about just being independent from a lot of the bigger corporate consolidations that rule the food system,' said Kimball. Norton Brothers Fruit Farm shuts down after over 200 years in Cheshire The couple became full-time farmers to provide the community with accessible organic produce. 'There are so many chemicals in our food and so farming this way prohibits us from using any chemical-based fertilizers, any chemical-based sprays or pesticides,' said Kimball. The two first opened their 4-acre farm in Naugatuck. Just last year, they expanded their organic farm to Milford. The farm at 762 Wheelers Farms Road is 10 acres. The first-generation farmers grow fruits, flowers and vegetables, including organic tomatoes, garlic, peppers and potatoes. Their passion for farming came with some challenges, including land access, rising costs of supplies and an increase in wet weather. With those challenges, Kimball told News 8 that too much land is being lost so it's important to preserve farmland. The farm stand in Milford will be open to the community in late June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MTSU Mondays: Farm lab brings produce to market, Polk named Person of the Year
Here's the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University. Middle Tennessee State University's Small Farms laboratory will again offer student-grown produce as a full-time vendor for the 2025 Murfreesboro Saturday Market season coordinated by Main Street Murfreesboro. MTSU Small Farms, which will be among the 85 vendors at this year's market, will be joined periodically at the popular weekly event by representatives from MTSU Athletics. Running each Saturday from May till the end of October, the Saturday Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon around the historic Rutherford County Courthouse downtown. The market features a variety of specialty farm vendors (lavender, honey, and flowers), four locally raised meat producers, a trout farm, seven bakeries, 17 prepared food vendors, 26 artisans and crafters, and more, according to a Main Street Murfreesboro news release. MTSU's Small Farms is the only USDA-certified organic grower at the market, providing attendees with a variety of crops from which to choose as selections change through summer into fall. Small Farms sells a mix of vegetables and fruits, along with flower bouquets. 'Customers appreciate that everything we sell is USDA Certified Organic, grown with care, and backed by the transparency we bring to our work,' said Christopher Hall, the Small Farms manager. 'We grow a vibrant mix of seasonal crops, always with a focus on flavor, diversity, and sustainable growing practices. Our staples include tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, cucumbers, okra and eggplants,' added Hall. MTSU Small Farms student employees help with production and oversee the entire process, from farm to market, to get a variety of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. Student agriculture classes also participate along with interns and researchers, according to Hall. In addition to the food and craft vendors, Murfreesboro Main Street says local organizations such as the Friends of Linebaugh Library, Rutherford County Master Gardeners, Storm Water Management and the League of Women Voters will host booths and activities at the Saturday Market. A new program called 'Market Passport' has started this season to encourage community engagement by allowing visitors to collect stamps each week they attend and be entered into a monthly drawing for a basket full of goods from a variety of vendors at the market. 'More than just a market, this is a hub for community connection,' said Linda Weeks, Market manager. 'We're especially excited to welcome several young, startup farmers this year who are building the future of local agriculture.' The 2025 season is the third year of the MTSU Small Farms' involvement in the market, and the second year of being a full-time vendor. MTSU's School of Agriculture manages all of the farm laboratories. View a full list of Murfreesboro Saturday Market vendors at In what has been an amazing year for MTSU alumnus Reggie Polk, the owner of Polk and Associates Construction Inc. was named Tennessee Small Business Administration Person of the Year this spring. As part of 2025 National Small Business Week, Polk received the state award in early May while attending the Small Business Association banquet in Washington, D.C., where it was announced Greg and Shelley McArthur of NTL Industries Inc. earned the nationwide distinction. The NFL Tennessee Titans selected the four-member Tennessee Builders Alliance — Polk and Associates, Turner Construction, ICF Builders and AECOM Hunt — along with trade partners to construct the new $2 billion stadium. Polk said the D.C. trip was 'such an amazing experience,' from meeting the new U.S. Small Business Administration team, networking, panel discussions and he and his wife Tanora Polk, also an MTSU alumnus, visiting various monuments, especially the World War I monument. Polk (Class of 2003), a former MTSU football player who co-founded the Brentwood-based business with his wife, credits 'the dedication and hard work and passion' of his 33-member Polk and Associates team, which has offices in Brentwood and Odon, Indiana, and with a footprint that includes Florida and Georgia. 'That is what makes us great. We make it a point to invest in our people.' MTSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from MTSU News and Media Relations. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Farm lab brings produce to market, Polk named Person of the Year
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Investing in the Earth: Natural, Organic and Regenerative Food and Ag Surges in Popularity
Sales continue to grow, now at $325 Billion annually by Steve Hoffman of Compass Natural Marketing NORTHAMPTON, MA / / May 19, 2025 / The market for organic food and agriculture has grown significantly since the National Organic Program was first established in 2001, placing the USDA Certified Organic seal on products that qualify for this distinction. Today, it's a $70-billion market that's been growing an average of 8% per year. And while it may be maturing, younger consumers, including new parents and their babies, are eating it up. And now, in the post-pandemic era, investors are once again paying attention to the potential of organic and regenerative products and brands that take into account health and the environment, and how the way we produce our food and consumer products affects climate change. A survey released recently by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the industry's leading trade group, found that organic's benefits to personal health and nutrition are resonating deeply with Millennials and Gen Zer's, making them the most committed organic consumers of any generation. Also, a February 2025 study by the Acosta Group, one of the nation's top natural and organic products sales firms, reflected that 75% of all shoppers purchased at least one natural or organic product in the six months prior to the survey, with 59% responding that they think it's important that their groceries and/or household products are natural and organic because they "are better for them" and "they tend to have fewer synthetic chemicals and additives." Natural and Organic Industry is a Force. Overall, the natural and organic products industry combined has more than tripled in size since 2007, growing from $97 billion in sales in 2007 to over $325 billion in 2024, according to data compiled by New Hope Network, SPINS (a division of Nielsen), Whipstitch Capital and others. Read more investment insights in Steve's article and watch a Video from the 2025 Expo West here- ====== View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GreenMoney Journal on Contact Info:Spokesperson: GreenMoney JournalWebsite: info@ SOURCE: GreenMoney Journal View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tractor Beverage Brings the Mad Farmer Tour--and a Taste of Business as Unusual--to the National Restaurant Show
With bold organic beverages, immersive storytelling, and a fresh take on foodservice, Tractor invites attendees to step inside a new kind of booth—where soil meets soul and story meets pour DENVER, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From May 17–20, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tractor Beverage Company is showing up differently at the National Restaurant Association Show. While most exhibitors set up booths, Tractor is rolling in with its Mad Farmer Tour vehicle—a retrofitted Airstream turned storytelling experience—and inviting attendees to experience what it means to do business as unusual. As the only USDA Certified Organic beverage brand crafted exclusively for foodservice, Tractor has built a platform for the next era of dining—one that meets growing consumer demand for bold flavor, ingredient integrity, and deeper connection to the food system. "At Tractor, we call it business as unusual because we believe food and beverage should nourish more than the bottom line," said Kevin Sherman, CEO of Tractor Beverage Company. "We're proud to support operators with products that meet the moment—organic, original, and built to stand out." The Mad Farmer Tour is a national, soil-first platform for connection and inspiration—designed to spark meaningful engagement with farmers, food leaders, and communities across the country. Rooted in the belief that to shape the future of food, we must show up and plant ourselves, the tour invites operators to experience a new way of thinking about beverage: one that bridges what Tractor calls the Hope Gap—the space between the world as it is, and the world as it could be. Beyond storytelling, Tractor supports the future of food through its sourcing practices and the work of the Farmhand Foundation, which helps farmers—especially those transitioning to organic—build long-term resilience and access critical resources. "Operators are being asked to deliver more with less—and they need beverage partners who make it easier to win," said Brian Barbara, Chief Revenue Officer. "That's what Tractor does. We bring bold flavor, a powerful point of difference, and real support for their teams." What to Expect at Tractor's Booth #11662 (North Hall): Organic beverage tastings from Tractor's farm-to-fountain portfolio Step inside the Mad Farmer Tour vehicle, a reimagined Airstream for immersive brand storytelling Happy Hour, 2:30–4:30 PM Saturday through Monday, featuring: Postcard Writing Station: Write a note to yourself or someone else, hang it from our White Oak tree, and receive it back in the mail after the show Tractor invites foodservice professionals to step into a space where flavor, intention, and real-world impact come together—and to leave with more than just a sample. About Tractor Beverage Company At Tractor, we believe both your meal and your drink should be filled with intention. Farmer-founded and employee-owned, we know that what's good for the soil is good for the soul. That's why we craft drinks that nourish soil health and support a better food system. Tractor Beverage Company is the first USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO beverage brand crafted exclusively for foodservice. With a farm-to-fountain portfolio, the industry-first Organic Impact Tracker™, and contributions through the Farmhand Foundation, Tractor supports farmers, empowers operators, and helps redefine the future of food and drink. Learn more at or follow @drinktractor on Instagram. Media Contact:Julianna CavanaughTractor Beverage Company395339@ | 315-761-7198 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Tractor Beverage Company Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Farm Behind Costco's Kirkland Signature Eggs
Eggs have consistently made the news since the 2022 bird flu outbreak led to a significant national shortage, which still affects the egg industry even in 2025. From Trader Joe's imposing a nationwide limit on eggs per customer to egg shortages at Whole Foods, most major grocery store chains have been impacted across the United States — and Costco is no exception. As of February 2025, the warehouse has put its own limit on egg cartons for individual shoppers. As a result, the farm that supplies Costco's Kirkland Signature eggs has been identified as Handsome Brook Farms. Though based in New York, Handsome Brook Farms partners with various small farms across several different states and leads the production of organic, pasture-raised eggs in the U.S. The principles of small farms and the welfare of the laying hens are at the core of the Handsome Brook philosophy. According to the Handsome Brook Farms website, each farm's standard is 400 hens per acre of roaming space, which ensures that the chickens are not just happy but also healthy. Keeping the flocks smaller means that they get more quality care from the farmers. In fact, the company claims its hens tend to live longer and lay more eggs than conventional chickens. Read more: 13 Ways To Help Save Money At The Grocery Store Handsome Brook Farms wants the shoppers to know that there's a difference between pasture-raised and cage-free eggs. The company doesn't label its eggs as cage-free or even free-range, for that matter. Rather, the two certifications it holds are USDA Certified Organic and American Humane Certified pasture-raised. But how do pasture-raised eggs differ from the rest? Each of these labels displayed on the egg cartons in the store is supposed to relay to the customers the quality of life the laying hens have. Cage-free means the chickens aren't kept in cages without the space to move, but they may be limited to the barn. Conversely, free-range hens do have access to outdoor spaces, but different certification programs cite different rules for how that space should look and how large it must be. The pasture-raised label requires the hens to have access to a large outdoor pasture, meaning a grass-covered area. In order to get American Humane Certified, the chickens need to have at least 108 square feet per hen of pasture space. For the hens at Handsome Brook Farms, life is lived outdoors about 300 days per year — even in bad weather, should any of them wish to brave the rain. Choosing this particular supplier for its Kirkland Signature organic eggs appears to align with Costco's commitment to humanely-raised eggs, a pledge the store publicly announced in late 2022. Read the original article on Tasting Table.
