The Agri-Tourist, My Journey Back to Agriculture
Agritourism involves travel, entertainment, adventure and agriculture, but, at its core, agritourism is really about connecting and educating. Join me to learn from experienced agritourism farmers and entrepreneurs, and help me build my future farm strategy.
The Agri-Tourist, My Journey Back to Agriculture
Bypassing Traditional Food Systems to Make Food Accessible
Luis Angel Mendez’s journey at Red Tomato began 21 years ago. In 2001 Angel met Michael Rozyne, Founder, and Kate Larson, former Operations manager.. Michael and Kate were searching for two things, warehouse space, and a warehouse manager!
The potential Angel saw in Red Tomato outweighed any possible risk, he saw this organization was brand new, cultivating its path into the future. This was meaningful work. Angel took a leap of faith and joined Red Tomato as a warehouse manager.
Red Tomato was developing a supply chain prototype project from a simple but powerful idea: bringing together the people who grow food directly with the people who eat the food. While it sounds straightforward, many systems get in the way of that direct connection and create a lot more costs.
Angel quickly learned to handle over 50+ fresh produce items, organic and conventional. He began to learn much more about farm economics and agricultural science. He started to see the powerful connection between food, agriculture, and food systems. After years of learning the business, Angel is now the Executive Director of Red Tomato.
Angel is a Boston native and a father of four. Angel grew up in a low-income family and prides himself in helping others, especially those in need. The more he understood his work, its impact, and its ability to be the vehicle to change food systems, the more intrigued and excited Angel became at Red Tomato!
One of Angel’s most important projects - his baby - is the Bypass Project. The Bypass Project launched in 2021 in collaboration with Reos Partners, Connecticut farmers, and community food distributors in Bridgeport and Hartford. The Bypass Project determines how to “bypass” traditional systems so that everyone’s needs are met:
- Communities get access to affordable, healthy food
- Growers receive fair prices for their produce
- Direct relationships are built between farmers and communities
- Transportation and logistics costs are reduced
Learn more about Angel’s journey and the Bypass project is now expanding throughout the US.
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Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.