Project Grant 23OMDGNY0045

NORWICH MEADOWS FARM GROWS AND MARKETS HUNDREDS OF VARIETIES OF ORGANIC VEGETABLES AND FRUITS THROUGH DIRECT MARKET CHANNELS (FARMERS MARKETS, CSAS, DIRECT TO RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL STORES) AS WELL AS THROUGH SPECIALTY WHOLESALE CHANNELS. THE FARM HAS RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH COMMERCIAL KITCHENS IN THE REGION TO TEST-MARKET A RANGE OF VALUE-ADDED PROCESSED PRODUCTS INCLUDING SALSAS, TOMATO SAUCES, JUICES, PESTOS, DRIED HERBS, JAMS, AND MORE. WHILE THESE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN WELL-RECEIVED IN THE MARKET, THE FARM S ABILITY TO FURTHER DEVELOP THEM HAS BEEN LIMITED BY THE CAPACITY AND COST STRUCTURE OF THE COMMERCIAL KITCHENS WE WORK WITH. WHILE WE ANTICIPATE THAT IN THE FUTURE WE MAY BE ABLE TO WORK WITH LARGER COMMERCIAL CO-PACKERS FOR SOME PRODUCTS, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A NEED FOR A DEDICATED FACILITY THAT CAN HANDLE THE MORE UNIQUE PRODUCTS AND SHORTER PRODUCTION RUNS THAT SUIT OUR BUSINESS. WE ARE ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A 6,000SF BUILDING TO HOUSE OUR PROCESSING, PACKING AND SHIPPING ACTIVITIES, AND HAVE RESERVED SPACE IN THE DESIGN OF THAT FACILITY FOR A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN FACILITY. WE ARE ALSO DEVELOPING A BUSINESS PLAN FOR A FOOD HUB (WITH THE SUPPORT OF A USDA LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM GRANT AM22LFPPNY1153-00) AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT PART OF THE FOOD HUB FUNCTION WILL BE TO PROVIDE OTHER FARMS WITH ACCESS TO A WELL-EQUIPPED COMMERCIAL KITCHEN TO ADD VALUE TO THEIR PRODUCTS.