Farm to table growers feel cash flow pinch as restaurant business slows down

Growing Green Family Farms among farms in the Upstate looking for business

Hide Transcript Show Transcript

CAROL: FARM TO TABLE GROWERS ARE FINDING THERE’S NO TABLE TO SEND THEIR CROPS TO. WITH UNCERTAIN TIMES FOR RESTAURANTS, LOCAL SMALL FARMERS ARE FEELING THE CASH FLOW PINCH. AS WYFF NEWS 4’S JOHN LYON REPORTS, THERE ARE THINGS CONSUMERS CAN DO TO HELP, JOHN: NATHAN VANETTE WASHES CARROTS, PULLED OUT OF THE GROUND MOMENTS BEFORE. >> WE GROW A COMBINATION OF ROOT CROPS RANGING FROM RADISHES TO TURNIPS BEETS AND KALE THEN , LEAFY GREENS RANGING FROM YOUR HEIRLOOM LETTUCE, MUSTARD GREENS AND SPRING SALAD. JOHN: SELLING TO RESTAURANTS AROUND TOWN. >> SOBY’S ON THE SIDE, 301 CATERING, FOXCROFT WINERY, HAPPY AND HALE, FORK AND PLOUGH, AND JOHN: AND THE LIST GOES ON. MAKING ABOUT $2000 TO $2500 A WEEK. BUT THAT HAS COME TO A SCREECHING HALT. >> OUR LAST DELIVERY FOR MANY OF THE RESTAURANTS WERE EITHER LAST FRIDAY OR MONDAY OR TUESDAY. JOHN: CREATING A REAL CASH FLOW PROBLEM FOR THE 4-YEAR-OLD URBAN FARM, ALONG PENDLETON STREET IN THE WEST END. NATHAN’S NOT GETTING RICH FROM WORKING THIS HALF ACRE FIELD 12 HOURS A DAY. BUT FOR HIM, IT IS REWARDING. >> THIS IS WHERE MY HEART IS. IT IS AN OCCUPATION IN WHICH I FEEL I CAN GET UP AND FEEL AND GIVE FOR THE COMMUNITY. JOHN: THE CROPS CONTINUE TO GROW, AND THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US ALL TO HELP LOCAL FARMERS, AND NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETS. >> GO TO THE FARMER AND TRY TO SUPPORT THEM DIRECTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN GROCERY STORES ARE HAVING SUPPLY ISSUES. WE’RE STILL GROWING. JOHN: ALSO NATHAN SAYS, BUYING TAKE OUT MEALS, OR RESTAURANT GIFT CARDS, WILL HELP CHEFS AND GROWERS THROUGH THIS SEASON.

Farm to table growers feel cash flow pinch as restaurant business slows down

Growing Green Family Farms among farms in the Upstate looking for business

Growing Green Family Farms, a local Upstate farm, says the restaurant slow down is hurting business. In fact, Nathan Vanette said his business has come to a screeching halt.”Our last delivery for many of the restaurants was either last Friday or Monday or Tuesday,” said Vanette.The slowing down of orders has created a cash flow problem for the 4-year-old urban farm along Pendleton Street in Greenville, according to Vanette.Vanette hopes people will pitch in with direct support. “Go to the farmer and try to support them direct especially when grocery stores are having supply issues. We’re still growing,” said Vanette.

Growing Green Family Farms, a local Upstate farm, says the restaurant slow down is hurting business.

In fact, Nathan Vanette said his business has come to a screeching halt.

“Our last delivery for many of the restaurants was either last Friday or Monday or Tuesday,” said Vanette.

The slowing down of orders has created a cash flow problem for the 4-year-old urban farm along Pendleton Street in Greenville, according to Vanette.

Vanette hopes people will pitch in with direct support.

“Go to the farmer and try to support them direct especially when grocery stores are having supply issues. We’re still growing,” said Vanette.

Related posts