“Pathfinder Village helps people find their
way in life to independence, success, and
maturity — all the things you want for your family.”
Marian Mullet | Founder of Pathfinder Village
Pathfinder Produce named 2020 Breakout Business by County Chamber
Edmeston, New York, Nov. 13, 2020 … The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce named Pathfinder Produce as its Breakthrough Business of the Year during a virtual gathering last evening, one of four honorees recognized for their vision, focus on business strategies, and service to county residents. The Breakthrough award recognizes county businesses that show creativity, innovation, and growth potential.
Since 2013, Pathfinder Produce, a service arm of Pathfinder Village’s Adult Day Services for individuals with disabilities, has been meeting the fresh produce needs of families in northern Otsego County through its weekly fresh fruit-and-vegetable markets. Working with community business and healthcare partners, like Bassett Healthcare Network, the Leatherstocking Collaborative Health Partners, and Colgate University, Pathfinder Produce has helped improve local families’ health by increasing access to fresh produce.
The 2020 Breakout award is sponsored by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of New Hartford. In her presentation remarks, Excellus’ regional president Eve van de Wal said, “The Produce Market is rooted in providing job skills training and paid employment to adults with intellectual disabilities in a region where career development opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities are limited … Four adults have transitioned to paid work as market staff. These individuals have not only grown through earning a paycheck, but they also have grown in independence.”
“What makes Pathfinder Produce a breakthrough business is its Mobile Market program,” she continued. “The Mobile Market has delivered grant-funded weekly boxes of healthy foods to people throughout Otsego County to those who live in food deserts, have significant medical conditions, or who live in entrenched poverty. Each week, over 270 individuals receive fresh produce, preparation tips, and uplifting art cards created by Adult Day Service participants: Collectively, the deliveries are called “Feel Good Boxes,” as they not only provide access to healthy foods but also offer points of connection for people who may have depression or be suffering from isolation.”
The Chamber also honored retiring NYS Senator James L. Seward, Pathfinder’s longest-serving Board of Directors member, who received the Eugene A. Bettiol Distinguished Citizen Award. Senator Seward will retire at year’s end after representing the 51st state senate district for over 34 years. The Bettiol award was sponsored this year by A&D Transport Services of Oneonta. Other Chamber honorees for 2020 included Custom Electronics, Oneonta, as the NBT Bank Distinguished Business Award recipient, and Theresa’s Emporium, Oneonta, as the Key Bank Small Business of the Year Award recipient.
Pathfinder Village is an internationally respected open-access community and services provider in upstate New York and was founded in 1980 to provide people living with Down syndrome and other disabilities an independent and fulfilling lifestyle. As it works to provide quality supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, the Village also offers highly successful educational, day services, pre-vocational, and outreach programs. To learn more, visit, or visit our fan page on the popular social networking site, Facebook.
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