Meet the Farmers In Our Latest Campaign
Our latest commercial has got us tapping our feet because it’s all about how great food makes us want to do a happy dance! At FreshDirect, that great food comes from our trusted farmer partners, who make cameos in the spot too. If you’re curious about the people behind those dazzling ears of corn and luscious tomatoes, read on to discover their stories.
Amy Hepworth of Hepworth Farms
Established in 1818, Hepworth Farms is a seventh-generation family farm in Milton, NY and one of the premier organic growers in the Hudson Valley. Under the direction of sisters Amy and Gail Hepworth, this FreshDirect partner farm is a leader in responsible and sustainable agriculture and a mentor to and collaborator with other farms in the area.
Hepworth Farms preserves and maintains approximately 550 acres of biodiverse and nutrient-dense soil at their location just 90 minutes north of New York City. During their peak growing months from May through late November, they provide FreshDirect with a huge array of vegetables including tomatoes, leafy greens, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, zucchini, roots, and squashes.
When you order any of Hepworth Farms’ produce, you know you’re getting something special that’s grown in support of achieving a better food system. The best way to try them out is by getting one of their farm share boxes, which contain an assortment featuring the very best of the season.
Tom Wickham of Wickham’s Farm
“Farmers eat a lot of their own food,” says Tom Wickham of Wickham’s Farm in Cutchogue, New York. “We grow what we like to eat, so you know it’s going to be good.”
Tom’s passion for great produce runs deep in his blood: he is the 13th generation to farm on his family’s 300 acres in the North Fork (they’ve been there for over 200 years). There, he grows some of the finest fruits and vegetables we’ve ever tasted.
In addition to overseeing his crops, Tom relishes the challenges of his job: “I have to balance the finances, manage workers, [and handle] food safety regulations, equipment upkeep, horticulture variables and marketing. The life of a farmer is never boring!”
Wickham’s Farm grows according to the season and their incredible tomatoes are a sign that it’s late summer at FreshDirect. If you see Tom’s produce on our site, make sure to add it to your cart because it might be out of season by the next time. When you do, you can be confident that you’re supporting local agriculture and getting the freshest local goods delivered straight to you.
Jeff Rottkamp of Fox Hollow Farms
Nestled quietly in the North Fork of Long Island, Fox Hollow Farm stretches over 250 acres of serene countryside. This land has been farmed since the mid-1800s, and the rich and fertile soil produces some of the most delicious fruits and vegetables you’ll find. Fox Hollow is led today by Jeff Rottkamp, who comes from a family that has farmed since they arrived from Germany in the 1800s. He runs the farm along with his wife Judy, mother Lolly, and sons Jeffrey and Jason.
Fox Hollow’s year-round bounty runs the gamut, although at FreshDirect, there are a couple items that are particularly legendary. Their early-season sweet corn is a sign that summer has officially started, while in the fall, their gourds and pumpkins get us in the mood for Halloween and everything pumpkin spice. Jeff takes especially great pride in the pumpkins he grows—he supplies us with myriad varieties like stunning, frostily-colored Blues and fat Cheeses that are a baking favorite.
The Fox Hollow farm stand in Calverton is open to the public and is such a local treasure that some of their most-prized items never even make it off Long Island. Except, of course, when we deliver them to you, freshly-picked and bursting with flavor.
Watch the complete commercial below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nspFns5FKC4&feature=youtu.be