Intern Jon: KOL Foods Opens a Farmers Market Stand

The sun had only been up for a couple of hours on our drive to the freezer to pick up our stockpile of frozen meats.  Running on excited energy and no sleep, I helped Robert quickly load the car with dry-ice and five coolers containing chicken, beef, and lamb.  Slamming the trunk door shut, we were on our way to set up our stall at the Sunday morning Bethesda Farmers’ Market. Since KOL Foods is the only non-industrial kosher meat producer in the US, and since Farmers’ Markets only sell non-industrial products, our presence at the Farmers’ Market was completely unique. market was completely unique. Also, being there was very new to us. Today’s consumers (kosher or not) go to Farmers’ Markets to know where their meat comes from and to meet its producers. That is precisely what KOL Foods offers! 

Upon arriving at the market, we began unloading the car. The other sellers at the market were overly welcoming. We received some help assembling our tent from the fruit farmers next to us, while other local farmers walked over and introduced themselves. We were made to feel at home as one local farmer assured me, “we may be competing against each other, but we’re all in this together, so if you need anything, don’t hesitate to come by.” Such hospitality didn’t end there. As a welcoming gift, one fellow vendor spoiled me with a delicious homemade apple pie, while another gave me a fresh batch of strawberries. 

We had finished setting up and were ready for the day. I soon found working with frozen food rather refreshing as the temperatures climbed into the high 80s and 90s. The weather became an afterthought, as we were greeted by regular KOL Foods customers who were so excited to finally buy Kol Foods meat in person, and not have to worry about the downsides of online shipping. On multiple occasions we were flattered with, “we came to the Farmers’ Market, just to see you guys.”  That was a treasure to hear.  Half the experience was just connecting with the customers, talking to them about the farms from where we buy our animals, and meeting new people. The entire morning seemed to have gone by rather quickly. I can’t wait to go to the next Farmers’ Market.  Hopefully this time I’ll get more sleep the night before.