LOUDON, N.H., Sept. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the
COVID-19 pandemic continues, New
Hampshire-based lef Farms continues to do its part by
providing hard-working front-line healthcare workers across
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New
York and New Jersey with
more than $250,000 in baby greens
over the past six months – a total of 50,000 meals.
"We've always seen ourselves as community advocates first and
foremost," begins lef Farms founder, Henry
Huntington. "The whole reason we started lef Farms was to
reduce our community's reliance on food sources outside our region
by offering healthy local alternatives. We feel a healthy community
is one that grows and prospers together. Our ability to bring fresh
greens to those logging countless hours to fight this pandemic is
just another way to keep our community healthy and strong."
"Front-line heroes are pulling 12- sometimes 16-hour work days.
For weeks!," exclaims lef Farms Sales Manager, Donald Grandmaison. "When you put in those kind
of hours, your meals end up a second thought. Our team felt a
strong call-to-action. As our local heroes poured themselves into
helping our community, we wanted to give them the fuel to continue
their amazing work," finishes Grandmaison.
What began in March as a casual conversation about the country's
incredible pandemic relief efforts led to lef taking a more
aggressive approach in its own region. lef immediately reached out
to its business partners to gauge interest in supporting healthcare
workers. In a matter of just hours, lef secured thousands in
financial support from key vendors, like International Paper,
Macaran Printed Products, Inline Plastic, and its parent company,
Pleasant View Gardens – demonstrating the willingness of the
businesses community to rally for this cause.
With support from business partners, lef also contacted one of
New England's top grocers, Stop & Shop, joining forces and
providing fresh greens directly to dedicated front-line workers.
Through the Stop & Shop's "Feeding the Frontline" program, lef
provided 30,000 servings of fresh baby greens to medical
first-responders at Mount Sinai and Long Island Community Hospital
in New York, Pascack Valley
Medical Center in New Jersey, and
Boston Medical Center and Children's Hospital.
Given the success of the Stop & Shop partnership, lef turned
its focus closer to home by inviting local New Hampshire food suppliers to join in.
Without hesitation, Pete & Gerry's added their organic eggs to
the mix. And, like a series of dominos, other suppliers fell in
line, like Contoocook Creamery, who donated fresh milk. Before too
long, a small team of farmers were assembled to lift the spirits of
healthcare providers and motivate them to continue their good
fight. This local program provided an assortment of local
products for 1,000 healthcare professionals at Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Medical Centers (DHMC) throughout New
Hampshire.
"With several special events throughout the month of August, our
dedicated staff was treated to fresh greens, milk, and eggs to keep
them going," notes DHMC media relations manager, Audra Burns. "Plus, lef's efforts mesh perfectly
with the hospital's own internal wellness and healthy eating. We
couldn't be more grateful," finishes Burns.
"While the pandemic continues, we're proud that our farm and
other businesses can work together to give back to those who are
giving so much. For them, it's an outward demonstration of
community support. A strong a message of hope. And that's exactly
what this country needs," smiles lef's Henry Huntington.
lef Farms is a 1-acre hydroponic greenhouse growing facility
located in Loudon, NH, producing
nearly 1.5 million pounds annually of its Crisp, Smooth, Spice, and
Fusion baby greens for New
England. www.lef-farms.com.
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SOURCE lef Farms