45°
Led by CEO Pat Adams, along with his father Donald and brother Steve, Adams Fairacre Farms has grown from a small roadside stand to one of the area's premier markets. "My grandfather bought property as a farm in 1919 and opened a roadside stand," said Adams. "From that point on, farming was a big part of the business up until the 1950s. In the '60s, my father and uncle began to steer a little more towards retail."
By the 1970s, Adams began to carry deli, cheese and gourmet grocery items, and opened a second location in Kingston. As the brand continued to evolve, stores soon added meat and fish options, becoming a complete supermarket. Today, the store boasts fresh produce, local meats and perishable items not found anywhere else. "We really try and have fresh products, which is what sets us apart from the typical supermarket," said Adams. All locations feature a garden center and nursery, while the Poughkeepsie location features three additional businesses: Adams Landscaping, Adams Power Equipment and Adams Fencing.
Despite now operating four stores, the market hasn't strayed from its local roots. "We have local farmers that each store deals with on a seasonal basis," said Adams. "We also give a lot of autonomy to individual departments so they have stake in sourcing products and ensuring the quality is there." That means shoppers can expect to find everything from international cheeses to freshly ground beef available at every store.
Cooking for large groups can be daunting, especially around the holidays. That's why Adams has focused on developing their ready-prepared food section, with grab and go and catered items available. "We sold 475 cooked turkey dinners for Thanksgiving, and it's apparent that people are looking for convenience and good quality foods," said Adams. This Christmas and New Years, he expects the trend to continue.
And although all stores are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, Adams will offer seasonal, non-food items such as decorations and fresh cut trees right up until Santa arrives.
"Adams is about fresh foods and keeping up with the trends," said Adams. "Knowing where your food comes from has become more important that ever."
To learn more about Adams Fairacre Farms, visit their website.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Northwest Dutchess and receive free news updates.
