Farm Stand Expands, Becomes More Local

While many things change constantly in Long Valley, many things remain the same. 

In the case of new, additional location, both can be said for Long Valley’s most popular farm stand.

What was formerly Carl Burd’s farm stand at the corner of Rt. 517 and East Valley Brook Road has now become an extension of Ort Farms Bartley Road location.

The new stand, which opened for Mother’s Day, offers many of the same varieties of produce and jarred goods, , as the main location does.

In the summer of 2011, the opportunity to take over the location was presented to the Ort family, which was the “right thing at the right time,” according to stand manager Nicole Ort.

“We decided it would be a good place for a convenience route,” Ort said about the location. “It’s an easy spot to stop and grab stuff. The traffic that comes this way is different than what we get (at the main stand).”

In the few weeks the stand has been opened, despite rainy weather, consumers have taken to the stand without hesitation, according to Jen Briganti, who oversees the stand on a daily basis.

Burd, who occupied the farm stand for decades, is a close friend to his farming counterparts, Ort said, and comes in on occasion to see how business is going.

“(Burd) comes in to see how we’re doing and tells us if his old customers come in that he says ‘hello,’” Briganti said.

The location came to be a natural marriage, however, as the Ort family has been farming the land across the street for several years.

Whether it’s Ort herself or another company employee, the produce is brought fresh every day from the main stand to the new “County Corner Market,” she said.

“Every morning we’re bringing fresh stuff, and we make runs throughout the day,” Ort said. “We’re really happy about having the expanded product line. Customers will see that we have a lot of stuff here.”

As the season evolves into warmer weather and the opportunity for parties and barbecues, it’s the corn that draws the attention, Briganti said.

“The Jersey corn isn’t ready yet, but when it is, we’ll be busy,” Briganti said. “They know when the corn is here.”

Within that diversified product line comes a new grouping of goods, too, including hormone and anti-biotic free milk and bread without preservatives.

The new stand also offers organic iced coffee and Kutztown soda, among its fruits, vegetables and flowers.

“We use a lot of natural resources and we’re an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) farm. We’re not fully organic, but we’re careful with the products we use,” Ort said. “We’re happy people are looking for more local foods. Local seems to trump all with a lot of customers.”

And now those customers have another option to shop local and support one of their favorite farms.

The Ort Farms Country Corner Market is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and is expected to stay open through October. 

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