‘Progress’ halves the acreage of Britt Farms Market
‘Progress’ halves the acreage of Britt Farms Market
MANHATTAN, KS — In 1948, Britt’s Farm Market was established on a long stretch of Kansas Highway 18 connecting this college town, Manhattan, with nearby Ft. Riley, KS.
The fruit and vegetable operation has always been a well-known local landmark.
Over the years, the farm expanded to 400 acres of rich Kansas River bottomland, nestled between Kansas’ scenic Flint Hills.
As often happens when economic progress collides with agriculture, the farming side can literally be bulldozed.
Manhattan has prospered and needed a new road to connect to Highway 18. This cut through the Britt land and left the firm with 200 acres. An acreage trade landed the Britts with land better suited for wheat and grains. Even if it was produce-friendly, the new property is still too far from a farm with a consumer service orientation.
Angela Britt recently told The Produce News that her in-law’s farm, of which she’s become a manager, once enjoyed “local produce” sales to the Hy-Vee stores of Kansas City. Hy-Vee requires local suppliers to have the volume to serve all of the stores in that metropolitan area. Britt’s capacity in that regard no longer exists.
Britt said this family operation still enjoys sales to the East and West Side Markets in Manhattan and contributes to the “local” program of C&C Produce, Inc., in North Kansas City.
There are still 80,000 people in the Manhattan/Ft. Riley area demanding fresh, locally-grown produce.
“It’s fashionable to be us,” Britt said lightly. “In the last two or three years, business” from local consumers “is definitely good.” She said young families are particularly interested in shopping from their store.
Unfortunately, access to the adjacent highway is better than ever.
