Faces of Food & Fitness
Stone Creek Farm - Mike & Rachel Gooder Family, Cresco, Iowa
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Plantpeddler, a greenhouse located in Cresco, has been owned by Mike and Rachel Gooder for 30 years. However, it started as Cresco Greenhouse, a small ma and pa operation in 1880.
When the Gooder's purchased the greenhouse it was 12,000 square feet. Since that time it has expanded to 348,480 square feet. That means a full eight acres are under glass!
During spring—the busy season— Plantpeddler employees nearly 70 workers. Most of these workers are responsible for planting small cuttings of flowers they receive from all over the world. Plantpeddler grows many annual flowers, shipping them to all 50 states. They're famous for their holiday poinsettias and hanging begonias.
The Gooder's decided to start growing vegetables when they learned that the grocery store produce travels an average 1,500 miles to reach northeast Iowa. Their produce is sold under the Stone Creek Farms label.
Selling produce locally allows Plantpeddler to reduce transportation cost. In addition, costumers see the logo, and can easily find out where their tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuces were grown. Plantpeddler employees regularly give greenhouse tours.
When Plantpeddler started growing produce several years ago, they tried everything from arugula to zucchini. Now, from June until March, the greenhouse is full of their most popular sellers— tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers.
Plantpeddler provides produce to area restaurants. In fact, McCaffrey's Dolcé Vita in Decorah features tasty homemade pickles made from Plantpeddler cucumbers. They supply to Local Harvest Supply and food cooperatives in Ames, Iowa City and Decorah. In addition, Iowa State University and Luther College, as well as Cresco High School have purchased produce from Plant Peddler.
Rachel's mother taught her how to garden and can years ago. These activities are a way of life in the Gooder family. They (Mom, Dad, Abby and John) grow an assortment of vegetables and fruits on their own acreage. They hunt and often can venison. They're also experimenting making wine with aronia berries— a native fruit to Northeast Iowa. And the Gooder's make a mean sauerkraut honoring their German heritage.
Click here to watch more videos about eating local food.
