A Visit to Mike's Organic in Stamford, Connecticut
I always enjoy learning about organic farms, stands and specialty markets - it is not only fun to see what others sell, but also very inspiring to learn how these entrepreneurs select their produce and promote sustainable farming practices.
Last week, two from my Bedford, New York farm went to nearby Stamford, Connecticut to visit Mike’s Organic, a small delivery service and warehouse shop that focuses on providing healthy and delicious foods to its clients. Under the direction of founder and owner, Mike Geller, Mike’s Organic Delivery team partners with farmers, fishermen, artisans and producers, personally picks up the products and then delivers them to hundreds of customers each week. Mike’s Organic also runs a retail market, where patrons can shop for items themselves - fresh vegetables and fruits, pastured meats, wild fish, grass fed dairy, and a large variety of organic pantry staples, prepared foods, beverages and more. I've tried many of Mike's Organic offerings, and love them all. I encourage you to visit the web site - just click on any of the highlighted links - to learn more about Mike’s passionate work.
Here are some photos - enjoy.
-
- Tucked away in an old, industrial warehouse building in Stamford is Mike’s Organic – it’s been described as “the underground market for cool kids”. Mike founded Mike’s Organic in 2009, after leaving his corporate advertising job and spending three months in the African bush where he realized his passion for wholesome, fresh foods.
-
- Mike Geller, on the right, and his VP, Mackenzie Judson, welcomed our team and led a brief tour of the shop. Mike’s other VP, Chris Kimball, is responsible for most of the product sourcing, and was out of the office at the time.
-
- Near the entrance to the store – rustic metal vases filled with locally grown flowers were displayed for sale.
-
- Many of the farm fresh organic vegetables, such as these carrots, come from Hepworth Farms in Milton, New York. (Photo courtesy of Mike’s Organic) https://www.hepworthfarms.com/
-
- Here’s a crate full of freshly picked organic broccoli. All the vegetables are picked up on a regular basis by Mike and his team. Mike says “transparency and connection are paramount” and makes it a priority to connect consumers to those that grow, make, raise and sometimes catch the foods they eat by visiting these farmers and artisans himself and speaking with them regularly.
-
- This Romanesco is from Lakeside Organic Gardens in California. Romanesco is an edible flower from the family that includes broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. It tastes very similar to cauliflower, but with a slightly nuttier, earthier flavor. http://www.lakesideorganic.com/
-
- Here is a crate of organic onions – yellow and red. These onions go very quickly. Customers signed up for delivery shop Mike’s online market, order and await delivery during the week – it’s so easy.
-
- Aside from attending lectures and volunteering at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Mike also grows his own vegetables. Here is a sample of some of his homegrown garlic. Mike says he and his colleagues all love to garden, and cook. (Photo courtesy of Mike’s Organic)
-
- The Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op in Pennsylvania provides fresh potatoes, which are picked up or delivered to Mike’s Organic once a week. https://lancasterfarmfresh.com/
-
- And here is a crate of Brussels sprouts and avocados – everything is so very fresh. If items are sourced out of the New York tristate area, they are flown and picked up from the airport within 24-hours.
-
- Here is Mike holding some beautiful Swiss chard from T & D Willey Farms, or Road-20 Farms, in Madera, California. http://tdwilleyfarms.com/
-
- Mike also sliced some Asian pears to sample – so sweet and juicy.
-
- I love citrus, and as you know, I grow many of my own, but these blood oranges look very good.
-
- Signs on all the freezers indicate what is inside. Mike’s Organic market has several large freezers of pastured meats and wild-caught fish.
-
- This freezer is filled with pasture raised beef and pork – everything sourced to reputable, organic farms.
-
- One of Mike’s Organic main sources is The Piggery in Ithaca, New York – Ithaca’s only farm-to-table butcher shop and wholesaler. http://www.thepiggery.net/pigblog/
-
- In the dairy fridge – organic milk from Kimball Brook Farm in North Ferrisburgh, Vermont. http://www.kimballbrookfarm.com/
-
- These pastured eggs come from the Karl Family Farms in Modena, New York. https://www.karlfamilyfarms.com/
-
- Mike’s Organic also sells fresh berries – and a favorite treat among shoppers – cookie dough from Ross Bread + Coffee in nearby Ridgefield, Connecticut. Each cookie dough ball makes two large cookies, but patrons often say sometimes they “don’t make it to the oven”. https://rossbread.com/
-
- Organic turkey and beef broths are stored in this freezer.
-
- And as part of their pantry offerings – blueberry and strawberry jams as well as a variety of butters.
-
- And a variety of vinegars and oils.
-
- This olive oil is from Sicily – a case of it was personally delivered during our visit – made in Italy, flown to the United States and then delivered straight to Mike’s Organic.
-
- They also carry pet treats from WellPup, which contains both prebiotics and probiotics to nourish the dog’s digestive tract and maintain overall intestinal balance. https://www.wellpupkitchen.com/
-
- Mike’s team hosts about four to six events per year, including cooking demos, classes, and other daytime events. (Photo courtesy of Mike’s Organic)
-
- Here is Mike ringing up our groceries. It was so hard to choose – there were so many great items.
-
- Here’s a big bag full of fresh vegetables for my green juice, fruits, a bottle of olive oil and a specialty tin of caviar – I love caviar.
-
- And here it is back home on my Flower Room counter – such a delicious bounty of broccoli, Swill chard, celery, oranges, Romanesco, spinach and more. If you live in the area, I encourage you to look into shopping through Mike’s Organic – you’ll love it. Just go to the web site for more information. https://mikesorganicdelivery.com/
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
