$100,000 in startup capital awarded to launch farm-to-table grocery store

ORWIGSBURG, PA – On Thursday, August 8, 2024, the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce hosted its IGNITE Schuylkill Final Event where Angela and Josiah Meck of Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, were awarded $100,000 in startup capital to launch their farm-to-table grocery store, The Farm Store. The store will be located at 113 E. Norwegian Street, Pottsville.

Together, Angela and Josiah Meck own Honey Brook Farm located at 310 Deiberts Valley Road, Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. The Farm Store will serve as an outlet for Honey Brook Farm meats, provide a consistent, convenient outlet for other farm products and eliminate the current food desert in downtown Pottsville. 

“Look to the future, where shopping small and buying local is only becoming stronger,” said Josiah Meck during the pre-recorded presentation that was played during the event. The Mecks welcomed their fourth child just four days prior to the event.

The Farm Store will collaborate with other local farmers including Bantam Acres, B&R Farms, Guers Dairy, Jersey Acres, Sterman Masser, Keystone Potato Products and many more. Farmers and producers will provide dairy products, meat and eggs, spices and honey, cold drinks, tea and coffee, produce, flowers and snacks.

Meck went on to educate guests about the food desert, which is identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Low-income census tracts with a substantial number or share of residents with low levels of access to retail outlets selling health and affordable foods are defined as food deserts.

The Farm Store will operate six days a week. The Mecks anticipate the store to open in October 2024.