Looking for new ways to help your local community? Here’s a fresh idea from ERA Evergreen Real Estate of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort, South Carolina and ERA Justin Realty Co. of Rutherford, New Jersey – encourage healthy eating while supporting nearby businesses, i.e. farmers and agriculturalists.
Free Range Friday is a day that agents at ERA Evergreen Real Estate look forward to each week. It’s the day their fresh eggs from local farmers are delivered to their offices. Through a partnership with area chicken farms, the company developed the program that lets agents and staff order eggs from free-range chickens at about $3.00 a dozen. The program supports local growers and provides a healthier food option.
The high-quality eggs have thicker shells, bright yellow yolks and according to the team, they just taste fresher. They also recycle all of their egg containers and return them to the farmers to keep costs down for the farmers while cutting down on waste.
While this is currently a benefit that broker and CEO Michael Gonzalez offers to his team, it serves as a pilot program as he hopes to eventually expand the offering to clients.
In New Jersey, , ERA Justin Realty Co. has partnered with a local farm to bring fresh produce to their local community via their own CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) known as ERA Fresh. The program is a community service with no financial benefit to the company. It’s just a way for them to help support their local economy and enhance the lives of those in their community through better eating while also investing in their local growers.
Partnering with Alstede Farms in Chester, N.J., ERA Justin Realty offers its Rutherford office as a pick up location once a week for 30 weeks beginning in May. Every Tuesday, the 20 CSA members can expect to receive sustainable, organic and pesticide-free produce such as: blueberries, red raspberries, plums, summer squash, yellow beets, English peas and much more.
ERA Fresh is marketed through Facebook, emails to the company’s circle of influence, and in local newspapers. In addition, branded tee shirts and recyclable grocery bags supplement marketing efforts. And, a member trip to Alstede Farms to “pick your own” will also serve as an educational and networking event to encourage ongoing participation.
While this year’s charter group is beginning with 20 members, the intent is to expand the member base in 2014 according to broker and co-owner Jennifer Darby Metzger.
Do you want to start a similar program? Reach out to your local farmers, develop relationships at area farmers’ markets and research area CSA’s. Then network your way to a healthy eating program that also keeps area businesses in the black.
