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Two elementary schoolers are dedicated to offering their community all the produce it needs at a self-service stand at the end of their driveway.
Tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, bell peppers, jalapenos and herbs are grown and sold by Olivia, 10, and Grayson, 8, with help from their mom, Jessica Vande Velde.
The family was inspired to start its own roadside stand at their home at 101 W 15th St after seeing so many homes with them on a trip to Vermont.
Jessica Vande Velde said they’ve always had a garden so she was supportive when her kids got excited about the idea.
“We always produce way more than what we can eat,” she said.
Her kids have been involved with every step of the way, from planting seeds at their grandma’s greenhouse to transplanting in their own backyard garden.
Olivia learned the basics of gardening through the experience, and how to decide when veggies are ready or when they need more time.
Her favorite part is getting to pick from the garden and put it out on the stand, she said.
Grayson likes knowing everything is getting taken and getting to collect the money, of course.
Both agreed it feels good to know they are giving people fresh produce.
Last year was their first year selling their excess produce. Grayson and Olivia would sit out at a table whenever they had free time. In the meantime, they had their dad, Chad, get to work on making them a proper self-service stand.
“It was really hot, so this was a way better idea,” Olivia said.
The stand is also a way to offer more constant service, ultimately making her and her brother more money, she said.
Payment is on the honor system, with a locked slot the money goes into. Jessica wasn’t sure how the model would do at first, but there has been no damage to the stand and she thinks everyone has been honest when paying.
The garden started producing in June, and the family sells most things for around 50 cents each.
Olivia said she thinks they have regular customers who are big fans of their product.
“Our neighbors here, I was talking to them the other day, and they said our zucchini is great,” Olivia said.
People will also occasionally message Jessica on Facebook asking if she’ll have certain veggies in time for their plans.
“I feel like we’re getting a lot of people to come by and then people drive by and they’ll look and see what we have and come back,” Jessica said.
Next year, they hope to double the size of their 12×9 foot garden to allow for higher quantities to meet the needs. When the stand runs out, it can take a couple of days to fill it back up. Then it’s gone pretty quickly, Jessica said. Veggies should last through August before slowing down in September.
All of their marketing has been through posts on the Eudora Facebook group and from people driving up and down the street, and it has proven successful, Jessica said.
They’re discussing adding green beans, cantaloupe, other fruit and flowers next year. They also plan to have pumpkins for sale in the fall as produce will dry up.
Jessica said the whole experience has been a lesson in responsibility from learning how to plant, check for bugs and water. She said although they’ve always been good about eating vegetables, this has given them another excuse to always have them around. It’s given her kids something to do with their summer time.
Olivia and Grayson are saving their money in a mason jar. Olivia hopes to spend it on skincare, and Grayson is planning a Five Below trip with his share.
Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected].
