Sun Moon Farm in Rindge and Kailyard Farm in Peterborough will receive funds courtesy of a donation made by Hannaford Supermarkets to the American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Relief Fund.
Last week, Hannaford announced a $250,000 donation to support farms throughout New England and New York adversely impacted by the coronavirus global health pandemic.
As a result of the donation, a total of 250 farms in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Massachusetts will receive funding through the American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Relief Fund, which provides farmers with grants to help them navigate challenges related to the COVID-19 crisis. A total of 23 New Hampshire farms will receive funding as a result of the donation from Hannaford.
“COVID-19 has had a real impact on our small farm and this grant will help alleviate some of the financial burden. But more importantly, this grant signals a confirmation that our small farm is the vital and good part of our community that we intend for it to be,” said Sun Moon Farm Owner Craig Jensen in a press release announcing the donation. Sun Moon Farm in Rindge, which produces vegetables and flowers, has experienced a decline in Community Supported Agriculture membership as a result of the pandemic.
The donation will directly support small local farmers and producers who have experienced market disruptions as their primary buyers and points of sale, including farmers markets, restaurants and schools, have closed or drastically decreased operations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“As a company founded by Maine farmers more than 137 years ago, Hannaford has deep connections to the agriculture industry. We have long highlighted locally-grown products in all of our stores and this donation is an extension of our commitment to the farmers and producers who serve such an integral role in nourishing our communities, preserving farmland and encouraging sustainability,” said Hannaford Supermarkets President Mike Vail in the release. “We hope this donation will support farmers during this difficult time and enable them to continue providing high-quality, fresh food to our communities for years to come.”
Since its inception in March, the American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Relief Fund has provided funding to more than 1,000 farms throughout the U.S. The grants are designed to provide farmers with resources to modify their business model to serve the current marketplace, such as creating new online storefronts and socially-distant distribution sites, or enhancing safety precautions and sanitary practices for workers.
“American Farmland Trust is grateful for Hannaford’s support of the Farmer Relief Fund. Their investment in 250 farms across New England and New York comes at a critical time,” said American Farmland Trust Director of Corporate Partnerships Ryan Lauer in the release. “With many farmers facing reduced traffic at farmers markets, fewer sales to restaurants and an uncertain future – Hannaford is helping to stabilize operations for farmers that produce a diverse set of products and put food on our tables, a community well worth the investment.”
To make donations to the American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Relief Fund, visit https://farmland.salsalabs.org/farmerrelieffund/index.html.