Partner Highlights: The Farm At Our House

We recently reached out to Marc Grossman, who leases land from The Farm At Our House to discuss how he became a donor in the Community Food Rescue network and how his business started. See below to learn more about our interview with Marc.

How was your farm founded/what is its origin story?  

“In 2007 as a side hustle to his teaching job at Montgomery Blair and with a new born child and in anticipation of the Great Recession Marc Grossman rented out 6 community garden blocks in Rockville and somehow convinced the Olney Farmers Market to allow him to sell salad greens. The operation was titled, Greens Next Door and somehow received the blessings of his wife Katherine.”

“That year Marc partnered with John Brill, another new farmer, who leased land from Our House Inc. To this day we are grateful for our relationship with Our House and continue to lease more than 15 acres. Since our humble beginnings we have poured into the operation over $200,000 and produce mixed vegetables and small fruits to provide for 3 farmers markets, 200 CSA members as well as Community Farm Rescue.”

What is/has been your farm’s most memorable donation to CFR? 

“We’ve donated plenty of cabbage in past years and most recently offered 600 lbs. of summer squash. Summer squash comes in like a hurricane and it can be difficult to find outlets. The network offers an outlet for that kind of quantity that we otherwise could not find.”

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience as part of the CFR network? 

“We are grateful to be part of the network and proud to support the important work that CFR does.  We believe that healthy food has the power to improve health outcomes and better society and are grateful to work with an organization that is helping the most needy among us reach those goals.”