Local Farmers Hit Pay Dirt

Online, October 1, 2009 (Newswire.com) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Carmen Knight
561.866.4050

The Bedner Family Announces the Groundbreaking of
Bedner's Farm Fresh Market in Boynton Beach, Florida

BOYNTON BEACH, FL: The Bedner's, a Palm Beach County family whose farming heritage dates back to the 1800's, today announced the groundbreaking of Bedner's Farm Fresh Market in Boynton Beach, a 9,800-square-foot barn-style building that will house a retail store dedicated to offering the freshest locally grown produce direct to the community. While the trend toward buying local produce gains momentum, the market is an exciting step for the family, an economic boon for the county and an advantage to the consumer who will be able to buy fresh, wholesome food straight from the farmer.

Eight Bedner family members who work in the business and several others were joined by Palm Beach County Commissioner Burt Aaronson for the groundbreaking ceremony at the store's future site on State Road 7 and Lee road in Boynton Beach, Thursday morning, September 24th.

"With the economy the way it is, how can you beat getting fresh produce - fruits and vegetables that have just come out of the ground no more than 36 hours ago, taking it home, eating it and saving money at the same time?" said Aaronson who lent a hand Wednesday morning at the groundbreaking ceremony for the market's future location.

The commissioner also spoke about the community impact Bedner's Farm Fresh Market will have. "This is something I believe is needed here," said the Commissioner. "It's keeping the economy in Palm Beach County and putting people to work. The Bedner family is one of the true farmers who want to continue farming in Palm Beach County. That's certainly something we need, and I commend them for that."

"We're fourth generation farmers," said Florida native, Steve Bedner, one of the three Bedner brothers whose father Arthur started farming in Broward County in 1950, before moving operations to Palm Beach county a decade later. "We've dreamt about this for a long time, but we really started planning it in 2005."

Earlier this year, the Bedners offered a sneak peak at what's to come by selling some of their produce from a rented booth at the Delray Affair, a three-day festival for local merchants to promote their wares. The buzz was immediate. Crowds swarmed to the brilliantly colored peppers, tomatoes and giant heads of romaine that some called "unrecognizable."

"They had never seen 'real' lettuce like that, so dark green and fresh," said Marie Bedner, Steve's wife who also works in the family business. "They weren't sure they were going to like it, so they would just buy a little."

"But it's just the way it's supposed to look," added Steve. "It's healthy, fresh and full of nutrients, the way Mother Nature intended."

"Right," said Marie. "So they would come back the next day looking for more. We sold out of everything."

In addition to the retail space are plans for a large field behind the market where customers, tour groups and field trips of school kids can pick strawberries and tomatoes. In this way, Bedner's Farm Fresh Market will serve as a destination as well as an educational resource, where people can come to understand where their food comes from and connect with the local farmer growing it. The Bedner family expects to open the field to customers and sell local produce from a wagon on the Market's future site as early as December of this year.

"We look forward to exposing people to the taste of vegetables and fruit that go from the farm to your fork," says Steve. "We know they're going to keep coming back."

"The family is dedicated to farming," observes Commissioner Aaronson. "When others have tried to just sell all their land off, these people have put their hands into the dirt to make sure that farming continues. I think the family has done a wonderful, wonderful job."

Bedner's Farm Fresh Market is scheduled to open in January 2010. A produce wagon and field where customers can pick their own harvest are set to open for business in December 2009. Bedner's Farm Fresh Market will be located at 12033 State Road 7 in Boynton Beach, FL. To learn more, visit www.bedners.com.

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