By Nathan Glazier
Columbia University is home to many attractions from its famous libraries to its historic statues, but just outside of the campus on Broadway lies an attraction not many people outside of the students know about.
Deep within this small farmers market lies a little stand covered by a white tent plastered with a banner in the back saying “Newgate Farms since 1933.” Formerly known as Sedor Farm, after the family name, this business made its humble beginnings in East Granby, Connecticut in 1933 after Frank and Nellie Sedor bought 23 acres of farmland.
Since then, the family business has been passed on from generation to generation. “My husband grew up on the farm and raised the produce just like his father and his grandfather before him. It has become a family tradition for everyone to do their part and we could not be more grateful for the success we have had,” said Judith Sedor, part owner of Newgate Farms.
Although Newgate has not grown very much since it first began, it has remained strong and in-shape thanks to the dedication of every family member to do as much as they can to stay afloat. Since their first instance at a farmer’s market in 1980 in Hartford, Connecticut, Newgate Farms now offers their produce and baked goods to 18 different areas in the Northeast part of the United States.
Newgate began coming to Columbia University last year and remains one of the few businesses that stay open year round.
“I come until Christmas, and yes it snows and sleets, but thats just part of life. You are going to have obstacles in your way, but ultimately people are still going to have to eat.” Sedor said.
Newgate works hard to give regular customers what they want any way they have to, whether it be shoveling snow off the sidewalk, wearing 15 layers of clothing, or using mini-propane heaters so the vegetables don’t freeze. The dedication and hardwork of the Sedor family is what Judith Sedor claims to be the reason why they have stayed in business all these years.
“It’s interesting and it’s always a challenge and for instance, 2 weeks ago, I got stuck in the George Washington Bridge accident and I was sitting for 5 hours on Route 95 with no way of getting off because the traffic was plain stopped so I got here four hours late.” Sedor said.
Not only is commuting an issue, but also dealing with mean customers. “It is not the easiest thing to find parking for the truck, so sometimes we will need to park further away and carry the produce and tent set up.” Sedor said.
The Sedor family have five children, one of which, Donald, oversees the farming of the produce back at the farm in Connecticut, while the other four are off having full time jobs. Still, they help out whenever they can, mostly on evenings and weekends.
It is a long and complicated process for the Sedor family, but to them it is ultimately a rewarding experience to carry a tradition that has lasted five generations and 81 years.
Scholastic Journalism Writing Resource 