Waxwing Farm Keeps Community ‘Eating Healthy’

“People are grateful to have local access to food, and value supporting us, and while it has been some extra work and uncertainty in shifting our business, we are grateful that the food we grow can support our community.”

Waxwing Farm, a small, certified organic vegetable farm in Mt. Vernon, is in a great position to reach the community — with fresh, local produce straight from the land directly to the consumer. Even with COVID-19, small farmer Arielle Luckmann says they’ve been able to amp up sanitation practices for Wed. farmstand hours, maybe adding another one Sat., and, thankfully, as a healthy option for Everett Farmers Market’s recently opened drive-thru pickups. She gave us a glimpse of life on the small farm, and why going local matters.

How have you been handling the COVID crisis? We were growing a lot more late winter and early spring crops this year in anticipation of the new Everett popup markets. When the COVID crisis began and two of the popup markets were canceled, we increased our sanitation practices and channeled that produce into our farmstand and offered pre-packed boxes for a low-contact, pre-paid option. In a time when it is important to keep our community eating healthy, this has felt like a successful way to offer people an alternative way to get weekly groceries. We are currently open Wed., nine to five, and hope to open on Saturdays 10-2, as soon as we have enough produce.

What’s the response been from your customers? People seem to love having an easy, safe, outdoor alternative for acquiring fresh, early-season produce, and are embracing more than ever seasonal home-cooked meals. We have received some great pictures of meals prepared by our customers in the last month, and this is always inspiring to us. People are grateful to have local access to food, and value supporting us, and while it has been some extra work and uncertainty in shifting our business, we are grateful that the food we grow can support our community.

Will you be at the Farmers Market? We will be having our first main season farmers market of the year in Everett, people can pre-order farmer’s choice boxes, and pick up in their car at the market. We are looking forward to being back in Everett. And while the format is different, we will continue to do what we can to make produce easily accessible as we get into the bounty of spring and summer.

Do you have any gift cards/gift certificates? Email us waxwingfarmllc@gmail.com if interested in purchasing a gift for someone.

How can people support your business? Join one of our CSA options, shop at our farmstand in Mount Vernon, and order boxes for the Everett Farmers Market. Joining our email list is a great way to stay in the loop and pass on our info to others!