Local Food Matters--Meet Your Local Farmers: Sugar Stone Farm

MEET OUR LOCAL FARMERS FROM SUGAR STONE FARM

DEDICATED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE ROCKFORD COMMUNITY!

Did you know that 95% of food sold in Illinois is imported from other states.  
By buying locally grown produce, you help insure that we will continue to have farmers in our community who are growing diverse plant varieties to nourish our families--not just corn and soy beans. 

Andrew Barelli, along with his brother. Luke, and his partner Andrew Stewart, are dedicated to growing fresh, chemical-free food for the people of Rockford.  They are semi-urban, farming three separate plots of land in and around Rockford.  Choices is proud to feature their delicious, high quality produce at our market.  

At a time when our farmers are aging and family farms struggle, it is inspiring to see young people taking on the challenge of providing healthy food while also working to preserve our rich soil and diversity of crops.

Andrew's positive attitude and enthusiasm were great to see.  

"It's like a big science experiment all the time!"

Sugar Stone Farm recently became certified naturally grown.  Compared to USDA certified organic, this certification is less expensive and requires less paperwork, but still provides assurances that the food is grown according to organic standards and their practices have been audited locally, rather than by the federal government.