Norz Hill Farm: 'Thank You For All You Do For The Community'

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Cindy A. Rogers of Manville, who nominated Rich and Debbie Norz of Norz Hill Farm and Market, LLC in Hillsborough:

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:
Farmer

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
The Norz Family, is known for their farm fresh eggs, farm raised meats, farmers market, fall festivals and haunt. Farming is a lot of very hard work and endless hours of little to no sleep. Farming isn't a 9 to 5 job. A farmer's day starts well before sunrise and ends well after the sun sets. Before the pandemic, Norz Hill Farm was only open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from November through the first week of June to sell their farm raised eggs and farm raised meats. However the egg shed was open 24 hours. Opening day for their home farm market is the middle of June. Once the state was shut down and all non essential companies closed, the Norz family knew they had to do something to help the community.

Rich and Debbie opened up their home farm market five days a week (Monday and Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m.) and offer complimentary delivery service on Tuesdays and Thursdays to those within a 5 mile radius of the farm. The farm has parterned with some local vendors and is offering a huge variety of items available at the market, such as produce, fruit, herbs, milk, cheeses, ice cream, pizza, seafood, poultry, fresh baked goods and not to forget their own farm fresh eggs and farm raised meats. On weekends, some local vendors have come to add additional items such as pickles, garlic and lettuce.

The Norz Family has created such a safe environment to shop. Once you get in line to shop, you are in a very spaced out area more than 6 feet. Upon the entrance to the market, you are greeted by a personal shopper who is masked and gloved. You tell them what you want and they will put everything in a basket for you and bring it to the cashier. There are only 2 to 3 shoppers in the market at one time. After every transaction at the cashier, the counter is cleaned off with sanitizer. When it rains, you won't have to worry about standing out in it, the farm has that covered too. Upon entering the farm, you will follow signs that will direct cars to line up to the market. A worker is standing at the front of the line to direct the next car to pull up when it is their turn to shop.

The Norz Family have really thought of everything to providing a safe shopping environment to providing a plentiful bounty of food to the community. We are very fortunate to have such caring and compassionate people in our area. We can't forget to mention, that the Norz family has three children who also help run the farm, Alex, Susie and Megan, while maintaining their school work. Farm manager Shannon, has done a tremendous amount of work seven days a week to help organize the staff and help making sure the market is stocked and ready to open each day. To all the staff at Norz Hill Farm and the Norz Family, we thank you for all you do for the community.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
Rich and Debbie Norz are hard working and have such a high standard of care and compassion to the community.

Thank you for all you do, Rich and Debbie!

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