Community Supported Agriculture Comes To Roosevelt Island From Vermont Based Holton Farms - Delivery Service Now And Soon Buy Fresh From The Truck

You Tube Video of Holton Farms CSA Truck

Last summer a Riverwalk resident let us know about a Community Supported Agriculture program from Vermont based Holton Farms that was serving Roosevelt Island residents by delivering fresh food direct from the farm. Holton Farms is back again this year:

Our goal is to produce and deliver wholesome food with integrity directly to the consumer. We are committed to producing high quality food and delivering it fresh. We are honest with our customers about where their food comes from and how it was made. In order to get the maximum amount, of the best products available, we will partner with other farms to provide customers with a wider selection of products to fit everyones taste and preference.

We want to completely cut out the middle man wherever possible. We will form direct relationships between farmers and urban communities. This allows farmers to earn a fair wage and focus on quality. It also enables farmers to sell amazing food to those who can’t afford gourmet pricing.

Last Sunday the Holton Farms Delivery Truck was asked to leave Roosevelt Island by the Public Safety Department while parked and delivering food ordered by residents. According to the 5/23 -24 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Report:

Investigation- Two food trucks parked opposite 455 Main Street. PSD responded. Neither truck had a RIOC permit. Drivers notified they needed a permit. Trucks exited the Island.

I inquired of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra what happened. Mr. Guerra replied:

We have had a number of complaints from residents asking us if certain vendors have permission to sell/distribute products on Roosevelt Island. RIOC has a policy which states that Vendors need to obtain a permit in order to sell/distribute products here on the island.

and suggested I contact Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez for additional information. From Mr. Martinez :

If Holton Farms is just delivering food similar to Fresh Direct, then a permit is not required. However, if they want to be a vendor on Roosevelt Island (e.g. fruit stand), then the owner should contact Donna Masly and obtain a permit.

Farmer Jurrien of Holton Farms clarified what occurred and is very complimentary of the manner in which Public Safety Department handled the matter:

I saw your email exchange with our CSA member Carol. There wasn't really an incident, it was just PS doing their job. They were courteous and professional. We should have parked on the street in front of 455, but there wasn't any space. So instead, we just went into the leasing office driveway to wait for a space to open up. Unfortunately, one never did. People were so excited to see us there that they kept on coming over and asking us about our drop off service. We were so busy answering questions that we forgot the time!

I am trying to reach out to RIOC to get the proper permissions as I think that despite the Saturday Amish farmers market on RI, not everyone is around on Saturdays and we offer a convenient and much needed alternative. People coming to the truck were begging us to sell to them on the spot, but because the city does not have a category for mobile farm stands, we can only legally sell from private property. So I hope the nice folks over at ROIC can figure out a way to make our project happen.

We are currently working on getting am EBT terminal which would allow us to take food stamps. Should have that in the next few weeks. I think that would make us even more accessible to everyone on the island.

Kindly,
Farmer Jurrien

In addition to the existing Holton Farms delivery service, hopefully Roosevelt Island residents will soon be able to buy some of their fresh Farm products from their Truck on Sundays.

Image of Holton Farms Truck