As we reflect on 2025, we’re filled with gratitude—for the land we steward, the people we serve, and the community that continues to grow alongside us. This year reminded us that farming is about more than what we harvest from the fields; it’s about the relationships we cultivate and the good we can do when we work together with purpose.
A Year of Community Recognition
One of the highlights of the year was being honored at the Jefferson Township Awards Dinner, where Alstede Fresh at Lindeken Farms was named Business of the Year. This recognition reflects the strength of local partnerships, thoughtful leadership, and a community that believes in supporting small, family-run businesses.
We are deeply thankful to the Jefferson Township Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Bret Hartman, President, and Mayor Eric Wilsussen for their leadership and continued encouragement. Serving the Jefferson community has been a privilege, and we’re proud to contribute to a local economy rooted in care, connection, and shared values. If you haven’t yet stopped by our Jefferson farm market, we invite you to visit and experience the fresh produce, baked goods, and farm favorites that make it a true community hub.
Growing for Good: Fighting Food Insecurity
Another meaningful moment in 2025 was being recognized by the Interfaith Food Pantry with the Outstanding Partnership Award. This honor celebrates our long-standing collaboration and shared commitment to ensuring access to healthy food for all. Since 2007, our farm has donated more than 283,000 pounds of fresh produce, helping nourish families throughout the region.
This award reinforced what we believe deeply, that food has the power to bring dignity, health, and hope to communities when it is grown and shared with intention.
Harvesting Hope Across New Jersey
Giving back remained a cornerstone of our work throughout 2025. This year alone, we donated more than 62,000 pounds of food through partnerships with organizations including Interfaith Food Pantry, Table of Hope, Central FoodBank of New Jersey, Church of the Messiah, Chester/Mendham Food Pantry, Farmers Against Hunger, and Fairgrown Farms.
These donations included homegrown fruits and vegetables, freshly pressed cider, and CSA shares distributed weekly during the growing season. By providing seasonal, nutrient-dense food, we aim to support healthier diets and reduce barriers to fresh food access for families facing food insecurity.
Why It Matters
Food insecurity continues to impact communities across New Jersey, particularly children and seniors. As farmers, we see firsthand the abundance that the land can provide, and we believe it’s our responsibility to help bridge the gap between harvest and hunger. Fresh, local produce offers more than nourishment; it supports physical health, mental well-being, and stronger communities.
Our partnerships with trusted organizations ensure that this food reaches those who need it most, transforming surplus into sustenance and harvests into hope.
Gratitude as We Grow Forward
These moments of recognition and impact are not ours alone. They belong to every customer who shops our markets, every CSA member who shares in the harvest, every partner who helps distribute food, and every neighbor who believes in the power of local farming.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to growing for good—nurturing the land, supporting our communities, and continuing to make a meaningful difference together.
Thank you for being part of our journey and for helping us make 2025 a year rooted in purpose, gratitude, and growth.
