Spring harvest is underway for County farmers at Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center, who are taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This season, the farm has introduced an online ordering and curbside pick-up service. Customers can place orders Tuesdays through Thursdays while supplies last, and pick-up during regular farm stand hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Customers will see designated curbside pick-up parking spots and stay in their cars while an employee retrieves their packed produce.
On Tuesday, April 21, Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center sold out of produce within 2 hours of launching the service, receiving 90 orders for early season favorites – salad mix, spinach, radishes, baby kale and baby chard. Quantity and variety of produce will increase as the season progresses.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center’s new online ordering service is an innovative way we are moving Westchester Forward. Many of our neighbors are facing economic hardships and we are seeing an increased demand for fresh produce, eggs and dairy products. The farm is helping us meet that need in addition to being an excellent educational resource.”
Additionally, employees are practicing social distancing, proper and frequent hand washing, and increasing their effort to sanitize facilities and shared tools with an EPA approved, food safe disinfecting product.
Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center Director Shanyn Siegel said: “Despite uncertainty, we are working hard to grow fresh, nutritious produce for you, your families and over 20 community partners. Last year, Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center donated over 15,000 pounds of fresh produce to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Westchester County. During this challenging time, we are proud to continue working with our community partners.”
The farm stand is open Fridays between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The amount of customers in the farm stand will be limited to eliminate congregating. Once inside the farm stand, customers will order from a display and a farmer will pull the produce to limit the amount of people touching the product. There will be no cooking demonstrations or sampling.
Building access is restricted at Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center, however trails remain open for recreational use.