Bethel Hobbs Community Farm in Centereach held its annual Spring Festival on Sunday May 15. This vendor fair allows the farm to continue doing its great work.
The James Hobbs family came to Long Island from Georgia in 1906 and grew farm produce in New Village (North Centereach) for local Long Islanders for three generations, first as farm workers and later purchasing the land in 1955, which became known as Hobbs Farm. The farm is the last farm in Centereach and the last African American family farm on Long Island. When Mr. Hobbs passed away in 1996, he left the farm property to his church, Bethel AME Church in Setauket.
The Friends of Hobbs Farm was formed in 2007 and began cooperative farming with the hopes of donating food to local food pantries. This initiative has grown and today Hobbs Farm donates an average of 30,000 lbs. of fresh, organically grown produce to many food pantries and soup kitchens all over Long Island. The farm is run by volunteers who are committed to ensuring that those in need have access to fresh produce.
Hobbs Farm, under the leadership of Ann Pellegrino, also sells Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) packages. This is a weekly subscription-type service where fresh vegetables are harvested and packed the same day, for you to pick up or be delivered to your home. They also make soups and sell fresh honey. Volunteers are always welcome, come for an hour or a day, no experience needed. Check them out at www.hobbsfarm.info.
