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Christy Colasurdo remembers the day when the milkman would make regular home deliveries. At least, she remembers in theory. Her company, Graze, is based on the old fashioned milkman model but has a decidedly 21st century outlook. Graze works on a basic farm-to-fridge model. As described on its website, Graze brings fresh, sustainably produced foods from Vermont family farms to homes in Fairfield and Westchester counties. You make your selections on the website, and once a week, the food is delivered to you. Its like a farmers market brought straight to your door.
We launched Graze in September 2010, Colasurdo says. She and her business partner, Vermont-based Julianna Doherty. Doherty is the self-described Earth Mother on the Graze team, dirtying her hands regularly in the name of good business and good food. When we started, we were just delivering some fresh itemsmilk, eggs, meatsto a small group of families, Colasurdo continues. People started clamoring for prepared foods, too. And then, things just sort of went crazy.
And she means crazy in a very good way. Colasurdo attributes much of Grazes success to the convenience factor. As she puts it, You can do your grocery shopping at your kids soccer game on your iPad, or in your pajamas in front of the fire. And you know that what youre getting is totally wholesome and healthy for your family.
Graze doesnt aim to replace your local marketssuper, farmers, or otherwise. But rather to complement your shopping routine. I know so many moms who do the supermarket shuffle weekly. They have one market for meat, another for produce, another for everything else. This is just a simple way to start your week out right and know that your family is eating well and cleanly. And maybe free up some of your time youd otherwise be spending at the supermarket. You can set up a standard order for your staples every week, and then just add whatever else sounds good.
Colasurdo stresses that Graze is not Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA. People dont have to buy in and then just kind of get whatever we give them. With Graze, you get what you want, when you want it. And if you dont want it, you dont get it.
Graze currently delivers to all of Fairfield County, and is currently expanding its Westchester operations. Westchester customers are invited to input their zipcodes into to Grazes website and find out if they live within a current delivery area. If not, says Colasurdo, they should call us and tell us they want Graze delivered!
Currently, Graze is fulfilling orders for Thanksgiving turkeys. The birds are free-range and cost $4.50 a pound. Order yours before Nov. 10, and Graze will donate 10 percent of proceeds to Wakeman Town Farm in Westport, where turkeys will be available for pick up on Monday, Nov. 21.
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