Atwater Village Farms
Imagine you were fed up with the corporations poisoning our food system, so you went down to your neighborhood area and started a village farm where all the residents could get fresh organic, dairy, produce, baby food, supplies, fresh baked items and more. Well Piper Goldstein did just that by using kickstarter and lots of passion. An eco-warrior in the true form she has created a haven in Atwater Village that makes us yearn to live nearby.
1) What inspired you to start Atwater Village Farm?
The long and short of it is~
I had to find a use for 20 years of cooking and hospitality experience that would capture a larger community.
In 2005, I had a shoulder surgery and found that I could no longer support myself as a cook. As I struggled to find my next place, what continued to cross my mind was, “What is my contribution?”
There was a “corner market” in my neighborhood growing up, and from the feed back I got from people over the years (while writing the business plan and doing the research), many people had fond memories of walking to the little markets in their own childhood neighborhoods. I found that it was not culturally specific either, from the san fernando valley, New York, France to Mexico, it seemed each person I spoke to lit up with a story and excitement as they spoke of the shops they went to as children.
2) Do you worry about GMO’s taking over our food supply?
One of the reasons I opened AVF is just that, I fear that we have already lost our way in the US.
3) Do you see Atwater becoming a model for neighborhood places all over the U.S.?
I appreciate the idea that I am part of this new school of thought, but what I am doing is happening, has been flourishing in other parts of the country for years. It’s a little harder to see shops like AVF because we are modest in budget and attitude.
4) What is your favorite meal?
A perfectly cooked, charred medium rare porterhouse and creamed spinach.
5) Are you forest fairy or a mermaid?
Forest Fairy for sure, my mother is the Mermaid in our family.
6) What book is on your nightstand?
Secret Ingredients, The New Yorker book of food and drink. And the last edition of Meatpaper.
