Farm supplies fresh products for people in need | News, sports, jobs

GLADSTONE — A local farm is working to provide fresh and locally grown produce to those in need.

Gladstone Berry Farm is approaching its 10th anniversary and sells strawberries, pumpkins, potatoes and more to the community.

The farm wanted to reach more people, especially those in need.

To accomplish this, the farm recently completed the process of becoming a certified member of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

“It took a little longer than normal just because the state had moved everything over to a card reader, but once we got that, it actually worked better, easier, I would say. So now we can finally handle it. We wish we could have taken it sooner just so we could have taken more stuff with us throughout the year, but we’re still happy to be able to offer it,” said Berry Farm Manager Parker Grzybowski. The farm had been involved in the WIC program in the past, but a new state program required farmers and other WIC participants to update their systems to accommodate the new WIC card.

“We couldn’t do it for most of this year because that was the first time the switch was made. It was just more difficult to convert everything, but now that it is, hopefully it will be easier next year.” Grzybowski said.

He added that the farm wanted to be involved in the program because it benefits the community and provides a fresh, local option.

“I think once the news gets out that we can use it again and farmers are using it again in the UP, I think there will be more people who have it (will) start using it again,” he said.

He said people should consider buying from local farms, such as Berry, if they are looking for healthier and tastier produce. As the farm approaches its 10th anniversary, Parker’s father and farm owner, Michael Grzybowski, has more than thirty years of experience growing strawberries in Wisconsin.

Currently, the farm sells pumpkins, cabbage, peppers, pumpkins, onions, potatoes, cauliflower, maple syrup, jams and jellies.

“Pretty much your cold weather harvests right now,” Grzybowski said.

The Gladstone Berry Farm is open daily from 9am to 5pm. It is located at 7772 County 426 M.5 Road in Gladstone.

For more information, follow the farm on Facebook at Gladstone Berry Farm.