Mike's Organic Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
It’s always so nice to see entrepreneurs succeed in their small businesses - especially when the company focuses on promoting sustainable farming practices and providing healthy, delicious foods to its clients.
Last week, Mike’s Organic, a delivery service and warehouse retail shop in nearby Stamford, Connecticut, celebrated its 10-year anniversary. More than 150-friends, farmers, clients, and members of the press attended the event. Mike's Organic was one of the first 10 "farm to home" delivery services in the United States when it opened in 2009. Since then, founder and CEO, Mike Geller, and his team have partnered with at least 200 small farms across the region and distributed organic and flavorful offerings to hundreds more.
Unfortunately, I was out of town on business and was unable to attend the milestone gathering, but friends and colleagues who stopped by had a wonderful time. Congratulations, Mike - here's to another 10-years. Enjoy these photos.
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- This is Mike with his mother-in-law, Marina Varshisky. Mike founded the company 10-years ago after leaving his corporate advertising job and spending three months in the African bush where he realized his passion for wholesome, fresh foods. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- Mike’s Organic is located in an old, industrial warehouse building. It’s been described as “the underground market for cool kids”.
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- Inside the retail shop are shelves lined with wholesome products carefully selected for their natural ingredients and manufacturing processes. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- The party was held right inside the shop. On the left is Chef Geoff Lazlo plating sweet pea salad in a bacon vinaigrette. Before opening his own restaurant and farm to table catering and event company, Chef Geoff worked at Chez Panisse in California, Blue Hill at Stone Barns in nearby Hudson Valley, New York, Gramercy Tavern in New York City, and leFarm and The Whelk in Westport, Connecticut. https://geofflazlo.com/ (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- At another station, guests enjoyed Vermont wagyu brisket and pickled ramps, foraged by Mike himself, and served with whole grain mustard on rye bread. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- Here are some of the Vermont wagyu burgers sizzling on the grill. https://vermontwagyu.com/ (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- These wagyu sliders couldn’t be served quickly enough – everyone loved them. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- My personal executive assistant, Shqipe Lulanaj, and my friend, Terre Blair, attended the event. Terre is one of Mike’s longtime clients. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- This is grilled asparagus spears with sesame seeds waiting to be served – everything was so fresh. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- There were lots of small bites to go around – these are hand rolled egg crepes with Adamas black caviar, sour cream and herbs. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- Heather Sandford is co-owner of The Piggery, a farmer-owned butcher shop featuring pork and house-made charcuterie located in Trumansburg, New York. Here she is slicing porchetta. http://www.thepiggery.net/pigblog/ (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- This is Emily Wilson with Stelios Stavrianos, owner of Cylinder Vodka. They are enjoying the evening’s signature cocktail – beet and blueberry smash with vodka, elderberry liqueur, berries, beets, and citrus. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- Chelsea Danburg serves lamb pita bites at this station. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- The lamb pitas are made with braised Sepe Farm lamb shoulder in pita bread with Greek yogurt, homemade pickled red Peppers and cucumbers. http://www.sepefarm.com/ (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- Another appetizer – English peas with pea puree and pickled baby carrots on cracked wheat toast. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- During the event, Mike stopped to welcome guests, and to thank them for all the help they’ve given over the last 10-years to build Mike’s Organic. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- Mike thanked his family, his team, all the vendors and farmers – especially Pete and Carol Sepe of Sepe Farm, Sheila Patinkin from VT Wagyu, Heather Sandford from The Piggery, Amy and Gail Hepworth, and Gerry Greco from Hepworth Farms, Amy Freidenrich and Haley Scott from Ross Breads + Coffee, and Jack Algiere from Stone Barns, and then wished everyone a great, long night of celebration. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- Haley Scott is head baker from Ross Bread + Coffee in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Here she is serving warm pain au chocolate. https://rossbread.com/ (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- Here, Mike offers Amy Hepworth a taste of the pain au chocolate. Amy is co-owner of Hepworth Farms in Milton, New York – one of Mike’s sources for organic farm fresh organic vegetables. https://www.hepworthfarms.com/ (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- Dessert was also passed around to guests – these are warm mini almond cakes from Ross Breads + Coffee. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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- At the end, every guest left with a Mike’s Organic Gift bag containing Bixby Chocolates, Bjorn Qorn popcorn, Harry’s Berries, and Recess seltzer water. It was a great time celebrating a great business. What are some of your favorite small businesses? Share your comments in the section below. (Photo provided by Unger Media for Mike’s Organic)
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