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When Mary Ellen Martin started Farm to Freezer York in 2014, she was working in a successful career in sales, but she didn’t feel passionate about her work.
“I recognized how busy everyone’s lives were becoming, including mine,” Martin shares, “And I felt a desire to build a community through food.”
Despite earning a master’s degree in journalism, Martin felt that her heart had always been with cooking and the joy she felt when she shared her gift with others. That passion, combined with her desire to support the local community, drove her to begin Farm to Freezer York. The business centers around freezer meal cooking sessions for both individuals and private groups, but it also offers delivery services and a retail store.
Meal prep sessions offer attendees a full seasonal menu, containers, and even copies of the recipes to take home. Customers join a group cooking session where they prep, chop, and cook meals in two hours. The entire menu centers around locally sourced food and can be frozen and saved. Martin describes this as a “secret weapon” for busy days, when you can come home to a freshly prepared meal in the fridge or freezer.
“The pre-packaged meals were a lifesaver for us after we had our second child,” shares Brittany Olszewski, a customer who joined a class near the end of her pregnancy. “With so many other things going on after a new baby, it was a huge relief to have healthy meals to serve, with hardly any prep time!”
Since they are locally sourced, menus follow a seasonal theme, with more options offered in the spring, summer, and fall. Every menu offers simple recipes, with very few but flavorful ingredients. Martin and her staff taste test all recipes to ensure that one ingredient doesn’t overpower others. Her favorite recipes are the most simple. Offerings include entrees such as fig glazed pork tenderloin or herbed chicken and biscuits. All items are local, healthy, and fresh.
“Our customers love to learn about where we get our ingredients, who the farmers are, and how we prepare certain items,” says Martin. “They feel good about supporting us because they know they are supporting many other local businesses.”
Some of those businesses sell their products in the retail portion of Farm to Freezer York. Martin connects customers to other local food entrepreneurs, including Blind Spot Nut Butter, All About Brownies, Epic Pickles, My Coffee Guru, Torchbearer Sauces, Ann’s Originals, and Spoonably Sweet.
Sheri Karan, the owner of Spoonably Sweet, is grateful for the support of businesses like Farm to Freezer York. She believes that support benefits the customers as well.
“Being made aware of awesome products that are made locally is tough sometimes,” Sheri admits. “Partnerships between businesses help bring those options to light and make people more curious about what’s out there!”
Martin’s desire to connect the community through food is an underlying theme in all the offerings at Farm to Freezer York. In addition to selling products, she has donated kitchen space to local organizations to support community-wide initiatives, such as Salem Square Community Dinner, Farm en Blanc, and Squash Hunger.
Through her experience of working so closely within the food scene of York, Martin has seen firsthand how community interest is growing both in nutrition and in supporting locally sourced ingredients. She recognizes that people are looking for more clean eating options. Martin notes that several local restaurants subscribe to the same “farm to table” philosophy as she does, and it is well received in the community.
It’s the community feedback that inspires Martin and her staff to continue providing fresh and creative ideas for their sessions.
“Our entire staff is made up of home cooks with a passion for great food,” shares Martin. “We are happy to share our recipes with everyone, and we love to get feedback from our customers. To be able to bring something like this to the community is such a joy.”
Martin’s love for what she does is evident in every aspect of Farm to Freezer York. She’s created a business that is a true testament to following your passion, and customers have responded with equal enthusiasm.
“What we do is simple,” Martin insists. “Nothing fancy, not gourmet. Just good food made from great ingredients.”
New Location / Stillmeadow Plaza, 555 Ryan Run Road, Suite P, York, PA / For more information and upcoming events, go to FarmToFreezerYork.com or follow on Facebook at Seventh & George.
