Hudson Valley farm to close despite demand for food

The owner of a Hudson Valley farm says despite the demand for food, their business is unable to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and has decided to close.

News 12 Staff

Apr 1, 2020, 9:44 PM

Updated 1,490 days ago

Share:

The owner of a Hudson Valley farm says despite the demand for food, their business is unable to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and has decided to close.
Pawelski Farm in Goshen has come to a standstill after 100 years of onion growing.
"The price went down to 1980s levels. I was selling for $6 a bag,” says Chris Pawelski, of Pawelski Farms.
Pawelski, a fourth-generation farmer, made the decision to let go of his struggling business this week.
"I feel like I disappointed my father. I feel like I let him down,” he says.
Times have changed since Pawelski inherited his family farm. The cost of business is up while the price of onions is down - an economic climate that's proven to be too much for the small-town farm, already hard hit by multiple natural disasters.
"1998 was a big hail storm that wiped us down. There was a drought in 99,” he says. “Irene and Lee in 2011 came at the worst point."
Pawelski says he's simply not financially able to withstand the economic crisis.
CORONAVIRUS TRACKER - Cases in the tri-state area
CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION: What you can do to protect yourself
Your coronavirus photos
undefined
 


More from News 12
1:59
EXCLUSIVE: Father of teen boy killed in Jericho 1 year ago urges governor to sign Grieving Families Act

EXCLUSIVE: Father of teen boy killed in Jericho 1 year ago urges governor to sign Grieving Families Act

2:32
Scattered showers overnight and into Wednesday morning

Scattered showers overnight and into Wednesday morning

0:20
Wyandanch man sentenced to 13 years in prison for Central Islip home invasion

Wyandanch man sentenced to 13 years in prison for Central Islip home invasion

2:29
Public hearing to be held on proposal to being a walkable downtown to Melville

Public hearing to be held on proposal to being a walkable downtown to Melville

1:24
US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

0:35
Suffolk bakery The Savory Fig recalls baked goods amid state investigation

Suffolk bakery The Savory Fig recalls baked goods amid state investigation

0:22
Police: Ridge man arrested for selling fake car insurance

Police: Ridge man arrested for selling fake car insurance

0:33
Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

0:53
USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

2:03
Made on Long Island: UVX Universal Vinyl Extruders in West Babylon

Made on Long Island: UVX Universal Vinyl Extruders in West Babylon

1:23
Groundbreaking held for new Ronald McDonald House in Stony Brook

Groundbreaking held for new Ronald McDonald House in Stony Brook

8:55
Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success

Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success

2:59
2 defendants in body parts case plead not guilty to second-degree murder charges

2 defendants in body parts case plead not guilty to second-degree murder charges

0:56
Bay Shore HS varsity girl's lacrosse team 'Play For Pearl' in memory of 9-year-old

Bay Shore HS varsity girl's lacrosse team 'Play For Pearl' in memory of 9-year-old

1:57
11-month-old who nearly died of fentanyl poisoning saved by first responders

11-month-old who nearly died of fentanyl poisoning saved by first responders

0:49
Students hold pro-Palestinian protest at Adelphi University

Students hold pro-Palestinian protest at Adelphi University

1:59
You want the dirt? Thousands of pounds of sod arrives at Eisenhower Park ahead of Cricket World Cup

You want the dirt? Thousands of pounds of sod arrives at Eisenhower Park ahead of Cricket World Cup

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:24
Man arrested for attempted robbery of Coram smoke shop

Man arrested for attempted robbery of Coram smoke shop