Do you have an interesting story idea or news tip to share about a local business? Ideas can be shared with business reporter Grace Nieland at grace.nieland@thmedia.com or 563-588-5647.
Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from the tri-states. In addition to this update from Cascade, Iowa, we will share additional developments in Tuesday’s edition.
CASCADE, Iowa — A new retail space has opened in Cascade with a focus on connecting consumers with area farmers.
The Beringer Family Farms Store recently opened at 28031 Goose Hill Road. All of the items in the store are sourced from the Beringer farm or from producers operating within a 30-mile radius.
“The store is kind of a one-stop-shop farmers market,” said owner Lillie Beringer. “We’re offering fresh beef, pork and chicken as well as a lot of dairy products, eggs and fresh greens.”
In addition to staples such as eggs and milk, the store also sells locally sourced baked goods, lotions, candles and more. Items will rotate regularly to stock whatever is fresh and in season.
The farm store is located on the Beringer family farm, rather than at a typical storefront, to encourage customers to become familiar with agricultural landscapes and ask any questions they might have, Beringer said.
The goal is to increase the quality and quantity of connections area residents have to the producers who grow and make food products.
“The gap between the farmer and the consumer seems to be growing further and further,” Beringer said. “I think it’s important that we help people get connected to the source so they can talk to somebody they trust and ask any questions they might have.”
Beringer added the store is just one of the ways the Beringer family hopes to achieve that goal. Moving forward, she would like to add opportunities for agricultural programming and agritourism at the farm, too.
Some of those opportunities would be aimed at area youth, while others would be open to all ages.
“Our main goal is to connect consumers with farmers and show the whole process of how you get food onto your table,” Beringer said. “The farm store is the first step of having that kind of full-circle programming.”
The Beringer Family Farms Store is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Weekly updates about what is in stock can be found online at facebook.com/beringerfamilyfarms or by subscribing to the Beringer Family Farms newsletter at beringerfamilyfarms.com.