An organic seed company with national reach, Fruition Seeds, has announced that it will end sales and give away hundreds of seed varieties for free, stating that they can no longer commodify the seeds. The owners, Petra Page-Mann and Matthew Goldfarb, plan to rely on public goodwill, donations, and volunteer efforts to continue distributing seeds on a reduced budget. This decision marks a significant shift for the company, which previously had a budget of over $1 million in 2022.
As they prepare to cease sales on August 27, Page-Mann and Goldfarb are open about not having all the answers. They acknowledge concerns from friends and family about the viability of their plan, but remain committed to their belief that seeds are gifts meant to be shared. Instead of shipping seed packets next year, they plan to give away seeds by hosting events and visiting cities around the Northeast, expanding their work with seed libraries, swaps, and community harvests.
The announcement of Fruition Seeds’ decision has inspired some and bewildered others in their community of Naples, with varied reactions from customers who may now seek seeds from alternative sources. The company’s decision was influenced by their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they faced economic losses but found joy in offering their online growing courses for free. Fruition Seeds hopes that others will support their new direction by providing financial donations, expertise, and essential items for their operations.
The founders of Fruition Seeds were inspired by a friend and mentor who operates a farm in Keeseville, New York, based on the principles of neighborly farming and gifting food and events. While the transition to a gift-based model presents challenges, the founders are exploring the possibility of establishing a nonprofit organization and seeking guidance from collective communities like the Amish and Mennonite groups. The shift in approach has raised concerns among workers, some of whom see the transition as a missed opportunity to minimize harm in the process.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties, volunteers like David Colle are drawn to Fruition’s new vision and the idea of working towards a purpose larger than the individual. While there may be resistance from some members of the community and a need to address financial concerns, there is a sense of curiosity and exploration about the company’s future. As Fruition Seeds navigates this transformation, they will continue to seek support and collaboration from their network of growers, partners, and supporters.
