As we face unique and uncertain times, one thing remains clear: many small businesses in our local communities need our support now more than ever. Rockland Trust asked on social media for nominations for local small businesses that are making an impact in the communities they serve. Each Monday in April, Rockland Trust is randomly selecting one deserving small business to receive $1,000*.
We want to highlight the winning businesses, who each are giving to the community in their own unique way. Our April 13 winner is Elliot Farm, a 50-acre family farm that offers a retail farm stand and a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program.
About Elliot Farm
For the past 26 years, family-owned Elliot Farm has provided Southeastern Massachusetts with quality, native produce. Founder Kenneth Elliot, 62, has been farming for more than 40 years, and welcomed his two children into the family business at the ripe ages of 9 and 8. Son Ken and daughter Dee spent their summers picking zucchini and weeding rows of sunflowers, all before the morning dew had the chance to dry. In 2014, the siblings assumed management of the farm, determined to keep agriculture in their community for generations to come. In 2019, Dee's husband Jim Lough joined the family business, bringing his organic farming expertise along with him.
According to Dee, “Our customer-coined slogan, ‘the best sweet corn in the world,’ succinctly describes why patrons keep coming back for more.” Sharing summer’s edible commodities year after year, Elliot Farm has secured its presence as a community hotspot. With its open-air farm stand, cornfield views, and u-pick flower and pumpkin field, Elliot Farm prides itself on its no-frill, authentic farm ambiance.
“The coronavirus pandemic has thrown hundreds of thousands of people out of work in Massachusetts. The staggering pace of layoffs and furloughs has led to a surge in demand for the services of food banks,” says Dee. “These challenging times have reaffirmed our commitment to alleviate food insecurity in our region alongside our nonprofit partner, Farm & Community Collaborative.”
The Farm & Community Collaborative (F&CC) is a local nonprofit organization that alleviates food insecurity by improving access to local farm fresh produce for underserved populations within the cities of Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton, as well as the surrounding communities. Elliot Farm is a host site for F&CC’s programs, providing employment opportunities for local youth, who learn to grow and harvest produce that supplies local food banks. In 2019, Elliot Farm was proud to donate 6,000 pounds of produce to local food banks in collaboration with F&CC.
Those who are interested in learning more about Elliot Farm can do so on their website: www.elliotfarm.org, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Article You May be Interested In: Six Ways to Support Our Local Business Community During This Time
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economies and Rockland Trust is proud to support them. If you have a business in your community that you would like to nominate, please comment on our Facebook post.
*No purchase necessary; participants need not be customers of Rockland Trust. Void where prohibited by law. Entries accepted 4/1/20 - 4/26/20. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries. Owners or employees may not nominate their own business. Individual business owners must be 18+. Taxes sole responsibility of winner. Total prize value: $4000 (four thousand dollars). Additional restrictions apply.
Get the latest financial tips and advice by signing up to receive our emails.
Rockland Trust Online Banking gives you a variety of services that help you use and manage your accounts, whenever and wherever you want.
* indicates a required field.
Rockland Trust makes it easy to manage all of your accounts with our simple online portals.
Rockland Trust gives you a variety of services that help you use and manage your accounts, whenever and wherever you want.
* indicates a required field.
