Trustee: Down to Earth Market

Ossining, NY


Overview

Why are you interested in becoming a Trustee?
We are small business people - have been for over 40 years. Small businesses, whether farms or small batch food processors, are often under capitalized and many struggle grow and to become stable and profitable. When we started our first farmers market 25 years ago it was as much to bring fresh locally grown food to our community as it was to bring our community together into a faded downtown. For us it was always about building community, catalyzing good things and challenging the status quo - basing these on honest and open relationships. These goals support our B-Corp certification.
What is the mission of your organization?
Down to Earth Markets envisions a strong regional food system, built by independent farms and food businesses, that provides everyone with an alternative to industrial food. We believe that seasonal, local food is a vital part of our heritage that ensures the health of our communities and environment. Our mission is to: · Create economic opportunities for local farmers, processors, and consumers to trade with one another for mutual benefit; · Celebrate our food culture together to enhance community life; and · Cultivate knowledge, awareness, and practices among consumers and producers to care for the environment and build the local food economy.

Borrower Due Diligence

How will you decide who to endorse as a borrower? What due diligence will you conduct?
We will only endorse vendors who have sold in Down to Earth farmers markets for at least one year. They must be in good standing - financially and operationally. Having worked with hundreds of farmers and small batch processors for 25 years has given a strong understanding of which owners really know their business and who has the integrity that would justify our endorsement. We will require that the prospective borrower provide either a business plan or a written description of the project they wish to undertake including its objectives and as we deem necessary, pro-forma financial statements. In most cases, a Down to Earth staff member will have visited a prospective borrower in the course of our normal vetting process. In addition, we will engage the prospective borrower in an extensive conversation to discuss their project, use of funds and ability to repay the loan.

About Down to Earth Market


Location: Ossining,
Total loans: $15,000


All Loans for this Trustee