(August 31, 2007) — When Freshlink Farms LLC, a subsidiary of the Foodlink Foundation Inc., the regional food bank, purchased a hydroponic greenhouse in Penfield in March 2003, the only crops produced there were arugula and bibb lettuce.
No soil or pesticides were used and crop nutrients were blended into the water.
Nearly 4½ years later, the farm at 1345 Penfield Center Road has a new name, more diversified crops and growing sales.
Freshwise Farms is the new name for the five greenhouses, where more than 30 varieties of lettuce, greens and herbs are now grown. Eight full- and part-time workers are employed there.
Tom Ferraro, executive director of the Foodlink Foundation and president of Freshlink Farms, said the name change reflects a new direction for the greenhouses and is a branding effort for the social enterprise activities of the foundation.
"As the Foodlink Foundation works toward ending hunger, we also want to build nutrition and wellness in the community," Ferraro said. "We see that as an integral part of ending hunger."
Ferraro said that in 2004, the sale of crops for March, May and June exceeded $10,000 for each month.
For May, June and July of this year, sales of crops were more than $20,000 for each month. August sales are expected to be more than $25,000.
"We learned something," Ferraro said. "We've turned the corner. We found a high margin product mix that there is a demand for."
Farm manager Liz Sanders said the hydroponic crops come in 25 percent to 35 percent faster because the system delivers the exact blend of nutrients.
"All the plant's energy goes into growing instead of searching for nutrients." She added that with hydroponic farming, 10 times more plants are in the same square footage and use very little water which is recycled compared to irrigation methods of traditional farmers.
Sanders' family formerly owned the property when it was known as Magin Farms before Foodlink purchased it. She said the transition has been wonderful because of the resources Foodlink has in terms of growing, marketing, selling and delivery of the farm's products.
"I still have nearly the same responsibilities but I'm able to get things accomplished so much easier," Sanders said. JAY CAPERS staff photographer
Chris Mandel of Penfield works in one of the Freshwise hydroponic greenhouses in Penfield. Started in 2003 as Freshlink Farms, the Foodlink endeavor today has a new name, a greater variety of crops and increasing sales.
JAY CAPERS staff photographer
More than 30 varieties of lettuce, greens and herbs are grown at Foodlink’s Freshwise Farms.
Ferraro said Freshwise Farms offers fresh, local greens that are available year-round and sold at farm stands and local businesses, including Lento at Village Gate, the Ravioli Shop in Rochester and the Wegmans Food Market Inc. store in Penfield. The profits from those sales go to Foodlink programs like Kids Cafe, which provides fresh and healthful after-school meals at 36 schools, churches and community centers in Rochester and Monroe County.
"We take care of the food, so that they can take care of the rest," he said.
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