Szarek Farms is a great example of the old maxim, "necessity is the mother of invention". A small greenhouse grower in Central New York, the husband and wife team of Denise and Bernie Szarek grows tomatoes, peppers, fruits and herbs. They do not use pesticides on their farm.

The tomatoes are grown hydroponically, using coir, which is an organic material made from coconut husk fiber. With an overabundance of cull tomatoes the family needed a way to turn them into a value-added product. With some updates to some tried and true family recipes and the help of the wonderful folks at Nelson Farms near Morrisville, New York, the "Old Goat" food product line was born. The flavorful ingredients include farm fresh tomatoes, onions, apples, peaches, pears and habanero.

Spike, Vinca and Violet are three pygmy goats who make up Szarek Farms’ “quality control team”. The family knows the tomatoes are ready to be picked when they see the “quality control team” being chased out of the greenhouses, by the “Old Goat” himself, (husband Bernie Szarek), after an unauthorized taste testing,

The goats are triplets, and the Szareks have matched each salsa to their personalities. Spike is the big brother of the three, strong willed and stubborn, so he’d like you to try Spike’s Hot Fruit Salsa. Violet is the mild-mannered, good-natured middle “kid”; she’d like you to try Violet’s Medium Fruit Salsa. Vinca, is a gentle baby boy; he’d like you to try Vinca’s Sweet Fruit Salsa. His salsa is a favorite with human “kids” because it’s not spicy at all!

Another goat, Miss Violet, also has her own jam. Try her Tomato-Basil jam on pork chops. It’s to die for! Baylee, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the newest member of the Szarek Farms family and he’ll be introducing his own product to the “Old Goat Foods” line. He will also be the official “goat herder” to help “The Old Goat” keep the “quality control team” under control!

If you’d like to purchase some of the delicious products from Szarek Farms go to:
Spike's Hot Fruit Salsa
Violet's Medium Fruit Salsa
Vinca's Sweet Fruit Salsa
Miss Violet's Tomato-Basil Jam