Letter: Amy's Organics Needs Help to Keep Going

Dear Editor,  

Five years ago, at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My sister had been diagnosed at age 32. As I met more and more people whose lives had been impacted by cancer, I started to wonder why it seems to be so much more prevalent today than it was 50 years ago. 

I started to read about food additives and pesticides, and the more I learned, the more I became a believer in buying organic foods. I believe what we have done to our food supply is contributing to the health crisis in America. So much of what we eat is processed and modified, and the end result contains chemicals that have no business being in our food.  

Last spring I was struck with the idea that formed into - Bringing the Farmers Market to You. I sell local organic produce (the best vegetables you will ever eat!), local honey, grass-fed meats and other healthy items from my truck. I deliver for free to homes and businesses in Plainfield, and outlying areas have a small delivery fee.   

Plainfield has proven to be a great place to start a small business! The Board, Plainfield Patch and other area businesses have been wonderfully supportive and encouraging. 

I truly appreciate all of my customers, whether they have bought from Amy’s once or 50 times. But I need some help now so Plainfield and the surrounding areas can continue to buy local, organic, healthy food from Amy’s Organics. 

It has not even been and, of course, the first year is filled with unexpected expenses and “learning opportunities.” I knew that getting through the winter would be rough on the finances, but there are so many expenses with a start-up that I did not expect.  

Kickstarter.com is an interesting Web site that allows creative ideas to ask for donations in exchange for a reward. It is “all or nothing” with Kickstarter. I am asking for $4,000 in donations by March 31. If I don’t get $4,000, then I get nothing (and no money is taken from your account).

This money will be used to buy a cooler (to sell farm-fresh organic eggs), a second freezer (for all-natural ice cream) and to pay for the annual county and state licensing I need. 

In return for your donation, you will receive a "reward" depending on the level of donation. All of the rewards are listed on the Kickstarter Web site. Some of them are certificates for honey, $10 worth of vegetables, peaches. At the higher levels, you can get an Amy’s Organics tote bag or your very own Carrot Man. You can even get Amy’s truck to come to your kids’ birthday party!  

Here’s the link to access my project on Kickstarter.com. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1180665953/amys-organics-bringing-the-farmers-market-to-you . 

On the Kickstarter site, you can see a video about Amy’s Organics and read about the different reward levels. If you choose to donate, you will not be charged unless I meet my goal of $4,000. Then you will be asked for your contact information so I can mail out reward certificates.  

You can also visit my Web site at www.amysorganics.org if you want to know more about the business. If you have any questions about it please email me, amy@amysorganics.org.

Amy Ernst, owner of Amy's Organics, Plainfield

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