New Business Offers Local Crops, Products to Your Door

Don't feel like going out to a farmers market in the rain? Or just don't have the time? Go to one ... at your computer.

A digital farmers market has sprouted on the North Fork in Kassata Bollman's Farm 2 Kitchen Long Island, a service that connects people at home with local farmers by offering them the chance to pick what they want – online – then have it delivered to their door.

Launched by a former journalist who found a particular interest in sustainable farming, the company branches beyond just food as well, offering customers the chance to pick at hand-crafted items from holistic dog treats to candles to soaps.

"I didn't want to do a typical CSA," Bollman said this week, referring to farming operations that offer community supported agriculture – paying on a seasonal basis to have what's grown throughout the year delivered to their door. "I wanted to give customers exactly what they wanted ... I always wanted to go beyond the whole foods on wheels approach and have a model for all local items."

Local operations the company sources from include Sang Lee Farms, Catapano Dairy Farm, Spycoast Bee Farm, Wickham's Fruit Farm, Blue Duck Bakery, Southold Fish Market, Goodale Farms and more.

Farm 2 Kitchen Long Island was another local operation to get part of its start-up costs through Kickstarter, an online fundraising website. Bollman raised $4,200 for advertising, supplies, legal fees and more. And since launching at the beginning of May, the Souhold resident – married to another North Fork foodie, Scott Bollman od Bruce's Cheese Emporium – said business has been booming.

"The phone has been ringing off the hook," she said on Thursday. According to a Newsday article, Bollman's customer base has jumped from 25 the first week, to over 80 after five weeks.

Orders must be completed by 10 p.m. Sunday, Bollman said, and after a tally is taken of what's needed, the next two days are spent heading out to the farms to pick up what's wanted. Then the items are delivered.

"The customers enjoy knowing that their produce was in the field two days ago," she said. "That's the goal: no matter how big we get, we're going to keep the same model."