Today we’d like to introduce you to Toncia Chavez.
Hi Toncia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Well, the story started some moons ago when my Husband Estevan and I were working in cooperate America. We decided we hated what we were doing and quit our jobs and hit the road to work on farms. We bounced around for about a year working on farms in Georgia, California, Washington & Oregon. We learned a lot from the wonderful small farmers of America. How to start lettuce, tomatoes, and basil and learned how to harvest everything under the sun.
We knew we wanted to start a farm and being all the great knowledge form the west home to Cincinnati. Estevan is originally from Cincinnati growing up in Hyde Park. We looked at over 100 pieces of property around Cincinnati finally landing on a majestic 68-acre property filled with a barn a cottage, creek, flatlands, and forest. So, we have the land we have the knowledge now we just have to start planting. We started our farm with 50 chicken 2 cats and 1 Great Pyrenees puppy. We planted our first market garden, I baked for a billion hours and we foraged flowers and other wild herbs to fill out tables at the farmers’ market. We farmed most of the week and hit the farmers’ market circuit on the weekends. It was great but as we soon found out it was hard to make a living just selling on the weekends. We needed to sell 7 days a week! As we started to look at our options in town, Findlay Market approached us about opening up a shop in a prime location at the market. So, we did, one weekend we were in the farm shed just like every other Weekend before and BAM we were in the big leagues, a permeant vendor selling 6 days a week! We filled a gap in the market not only at Findlay but in Cincinnati. Brining the wonderful farmers that service all of the tri start area, and putting them in one easy and convenient shopping experience. We strive to give the customer the farmers’ makers experience 6 days a week. Shopping their favorite farms and discovering a few new ones along the way.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Everything was a struggle. We are not generational farmers, My Dad was a Navy man most of my life and my Husband’s dad is a businessman, not farmers. We had to learn what was best for our climate, our region, our farm. Crops planted crops failed crop successes but we planted a lot. Some week we would sell our entire table at the farmers market other weekends we ate it all the following week.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our unmatched selection of local groceries and customer service. Estevan and I spent most of our lives in the hospitality industry and that translates to grocery retail very well. We both worked in the restaurant industry in Cincinnati and then moved to bigger cities to find other ventures. This has all translated to our team, taking someone’s basket while they are in line, making sure we are anticipating the customer needs before they do, making sure the handles of their bag is placed the right way on the counter so that it is easiest for them, making sure they have the most pleasurable shopping experience. It’s like a mix of fine dining and the farmers’ market. Our customer service. We try hard to make it easy on you. For delivery, our product arrives in the quality you would choose for yourself. If we make a mistake, we make it easy to get what you want. When you have time to come by Findlay Market, come experience our beautifully designed market, friendly & knowable staff, and exceptional selection. We hire lots of restaurant workers because they know food and customer service. Stop after work or on your lunch break to quickly find what you need and get on your way. If you have more time, come and peruse and take in all Findlay Market has to offer. ETC Produce & Provisions provides the opportunity for local producers to get their creations in front of a lot of eyes. There are so many great small farms and products being produced in the area. We fill in the gap between the producers and the customers.
How do you define success?
‘Success is defined as moving from frailer to frailer without lack of enthusiasm’ Winston Churchill. You can’t be afraid to fail. It happens to everyone, not many talk about it, but we all do it. It sucks but you gotta keep on moving & growing and eventually you will get it right.
Contact Info:
- Email: tlc@etcproduce.com
- Website: www.etcproduce.com
- Instagram: @etcproduce
- Facebook: @etcproduce
Image Credits
ETC Produce & Provisions
