28 December, 2011
Fourteen years after planting their first tomatoes and nearly a year after breaking ground on their new barn, the Todaro and Barton families area ready to open Water Fresh Farm, a farm stand focused on bringing fresh local food to Hopkinton and to the surrounding area.
HCAM News toured the new facility just before the holidays for a sneak peek at what's in store and talked to Donna Todaro about opening day.
"I'm really excited to be starting with the New Year," said Todaro. "and I think it's a really nice gift to the town as well as to us. I think it will be a great way to start 2012."
According to Manager Jeff Barton, expansion was always in the plan.
"We've got all this great produce, but it's always being sold in stores outside of town, and that didn't make sense," said Barton.
In addition to touring the market, HCAM News also visited the observation deck. Set near the back of the store, two white doors lead to a greenhouse where the tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce are being grown, but not in the way you might expect. Water Fresh Farm uses hydroponics; the science of growing plants in non-soil media to which nutrient enriched water is added.
"Hydroponics allows us to feed the plants what they need, when they need it," said Barton. "As a result, the plants are healthier and you have better tasting fruit."
In addition to the produce grown onsite, Barton says they will also offer items from other local farms.
"Sometimes it is our products, sometimes it's from farms in Massachusetts and New England," said Barton. "And other times, it's products from beyond the region."
"People can eat fresh food as much as possible," agreed Todaro, "and appreciate where it comes from."
From fruits and vegetables to milk and artisan cheese and ice cream, customers at Water Fresh Farm will have lots of shopping choices.
There will also be fresh seafood, freshly roasted deli meats, meats cut to order, as well as fresh prepared food and meals to go.
Coffee is being provided by Armeno Coffee Roasters, tea from Upton Tea Imports, honey from Hopkinton Bee Keepers and flowers from Garden Gate Florists.
Water Fresh Farm will officially open its doors on Thursday, January 5th and the grand opening ceremony is slated for Saturday, January 7th. Todaro thinks customers will be pleased.
"We were really hoping to give them the 'wow factor" and I think they will be wowed when they come through the doors," said Todaro.
And we agree..
Water Fresh Farm is located at 151 Hayden Rowe, Hopkinton, MA. For directions and store hours, visit their website.
For a look inside, watch the HCAM News video below.
To see photos of Water Fresh Farm, Click Here.
