Traders Hill Farm: A Florida Farm’s Journey to Farm to School Success
In 2018, a small greenhouse farm in Hilliard, Florida embarked on a journey that would not only revolutionize the way we think about food but also transform school meals across the state. What started as an ambitious project driven by its founders’ interest in indoor farming, aquaponics, and the growing need for sustainable food sources has since become a thriving business that serves local schools, colleges, and communities with fresh, locally grown produce. We had the pleasure of speaking with Tracy Nazzaro, president and general manager at Traders Hill Farm, who walked us through the vision, challenges, and future goals of the farm. “At Traders Hill Farm, our unwavering commitment to food safety and sustainability is at the heart of our entire operation. Our team is passionate about what we do. From our visionary leadership to our dedicated employees, we believe in our core values, and we are steadfast in our dedication to following them.”
From Vision to Commercial Launch
Before commercial production began, the founders of Traders Hill Farm spent four years in research and development, deeply intrigued by the challenge of sustaining a well-fed and growing population. The Traders Hill Farm vision was clear: to create a sustainable, high-efficiency farm that could grow nutritious food year round using minimal water and resources. With this goal in mind, a team was assembled to bring the farm’s business operations to life.
The farm’s business model initially focused on food service, supplying fresh greens like lettuce directly to restaurants. For the first few years, deliveries were made using a small, refrigerated van. But everything changed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. As restaurants and food service businesses shut down, the farm quickly pivoted, launching a home delivery service in April 2020. This direct-to-consumer model carried the business through some of the toughest months and allowed it to survive until September 2023.
Despite the success of home deliveries, managing a hybrid model of serving directly to consumers and as a wholesaler proved difficult. Post-pandemic, the farm decided to return to its original goal of wholesaling, focusing on supplying large distributors that serve schools. This shift marked a significant change in the business, sometimes depending on distributors for the “last mile” delivery, making it easier for schools to access fresh produce without worrying about transportation or logistics.
Currently, about 50% of the farm’s business comes from distributors, and the farm has partnered with multiple distributors across the state. Flagler County schools, for example, are supplied through a distributor, while other districts, like Alachua County, receive orders directly via a single drop-off point. The farm prefers to work with distributors already servicing school districts, even if it means losing the direct connection to the farm. This allows the farm to scale its impact more easily while benefiting from partnerships with schools that already have established relationships with suppliers.
A Focus on Lettuce: Feeding Florida’s Schools
The farm grows a variety of leafy greens, including head lettuce, green romaine, butterhead, and green leaf, all in climate-controlled greenhouses. These greens are high-demand items, especially for school salad bars. Lettuce is sold in 12-pound boxes, which schools require in large quantities. The farm works closely with local districts, including Nassau County, to ensure its lettuce meets their needs in both price and quality.
The farm’s greenhouse approach reduces waste significantly compared to field-grown lettuce. As part of the process, the farm conducts yield studies to prove its product’s value. While field-grown lettuce has a much higher waste rate, the farm’s controlled environment allows it to provide fresh, waste-reduced produce year round.
As the farm continues to expand its reach, it’s now exploring new opportunities with larger districts, such as Hillsborough and Orange counties. These districts require pre-washed, chopped, and packed produce, a challenge for a farm that doesn’t have a processing facility. However, the farm is working with distributors that can handle these requirements, ensuring the schools still receive the fresh, high-quality produce they need.
Overcoming Challenges and Creating Opportunities
The Traders Hill Farm team have faced numerous challenges as they continue to expand their footprint in the farm to school space. One of the biggest hurdles is navigating the complex relationship with distributors. Securing these partnerships takes time and an immense amount of paperwork, a significant challenge for small-scale farms. Some distributors have been easier to work with than others, but it is always a long process to get the relationships off the ground.
Despite these challenges, the farm has seen a tremendous positive impact on local school districts. They continue to supply lettuce to several districts in Florida, including Alachua, Flagler, and Nassau counties. Their commitment to sustainability and fresh, local produce has earned them respect and recognition from food service managers, school nutrition directors, and even teachers who enjoy the farm’s products. With local food sourcing becoming more of a priority for many schools, the farm’s success is helping demonstrate the value of farm to school programs in Florida and beyond.
The Importance of Communities
From a sustainability standpoint, the farm’s model is remarkably water-efficient, using 95% less water than traditional outdoor farming methods. By growing indoors, they also avoid the heavy use of pesticides. This focus on sustainability extends beyond the farm itself; the farm collaborates with other local growers from South Florida to Southern Georgia, creating a network that supports schools from both small and large farms with seasonal produce.
Growing fresh produce locally not only benefits the farm but also supports Florida’s economy by creating more jobs and encouraging local consumption. The farm believes that by exposing younger generations to fresh, local produce, they can foster a lifelong love of healthy food. The “Fresh from Florida” label is a powerful tool in this mission, and the farm is working to increase its visibility in schools to help students make better food choices now and in the future.
In addition to supplying fresh produce, the farm also plays a role in workforce development. The farm partners with local schools to provide hands-on learning experiences for students, especially those in vocational or agricultural programs. A group of high school students from Nassau County, for example, spends two to three days a week on the farm learning important job skills like food safety and teamwork. These students gain valuable experience while developing a deeper understanding of sustainable farming practices.
The Future of the Farm to School Initiative
Looking ahead, the farm is focused on expanding its footprint in the farm to school space. Traders Hill Farm’s goal is to increase the number of school districts the farm serves while also expanding its seasonal programs to support other small farms that might not have the administrative capacity to navigate the complex world of school food procurement. “We are really fortunate in Florida that the school year matches the growing seasons, and we can work to provide fresh, local foods throughout the year.”
The farm’s ultimate vision is to create a cooperative hub where other local farms can collaborate to supply fresh, seasonal produce to schools, creating a win-win for both the farmers and the schools they serve. Traders Hill Farm hopes that more school nutrition managers will embrace the farm to school movement, not only for its educational and health benefits but also for its potential to boost local economies and support Florida’s agricultural industry.
The farm’s journey has been a remarkable success story, driven by a commitment to sustainability, healthy eating, and community support. From humble beginnings to becoming a key player in Florida’s farm to school movement, the farm continues to grow its impact on schools, students, and communities.
As they work to expand their reach, the Traders Hill Farm team remains passionate about providing fresh, local produce to schools across Florida, while educating the next generation about the importance of healthy eating, sustainability, and supporting local agriculture. “It’s not just about growing food—it’s about growing a movement that will inspire future generations to value fresh, local, and sustainable food for years to come.”