Wadel's Farm Wagon

Wadel's Farm Wagon traces its roots back to a small family farm in Florida, where a young boy spent his days milking cows and harvesting produce under the sun. As he grew, so did his aspirations, leading him to Missouri. While the fields changed, his vision remained steadfast: to cultivate good food and earn an honest living. However, he soon encountered a significant hurdle—distribution.

"We tried first to raise produce on a larger scale but could not compete with Mexico and the large farmers," he recounted.

In response, they shifted their strategy to supply local stores and markets, embracing the steady demand of their community. This approach felt sustainable, yet the logistics of distribution still threatened their profitability.

"When we figured in the cost of delivering the product 30–75 miles away, any profit went away."

It was this challenge that sparked the idea for Wadel’s Farm Wagon. Instead of a detailed business plan, it was born out of necessity.

"Our mission at Wadel’s is to fill that gap," he explained. "To provide sales and distribution for locally farmed and small-produced items."

Now, Wadel's serves as a crucial link in the food supply chain, a role often overlooked by consumers picking up local products like eggs or cheese from their grocery store. They assist farmers in getting their products shelf-ready by helping with UPCs, labels, and even packaging design. They ensure that products are stored correctly, transported swiftly, and delivered precisely where they need to be.

As they've grown, they've also embraced new ventures.

"We purchased Peg’s Salt last summer when she was ready to retire from her passion—this product is amazing."

Their product range is diverse, from unique offerings like raw camel milk to essential items like the 15,000 to 20,000 dozen eggs they distribute weekly for regional farms. And the cheese? It's a subject of passion.

"Our SVFF Organic Farmstead cheese is my favorite," he beamed. "It has a unique recipe and great texture and quality for snacking. His Swiss is a full-fat Swiss cheese—another great cheese. Also, the Virginia Fresh white cheddar."

They also take great care in selecting their milk, sourced exclusively from organic, 100% grassfed cows.

"They only produce around 4–5 gallons of milk per day," he added. "But the quality is there."

Wadel’s doesn’t aim for flashiness or immense scale. Their focus is on supporting small producers, helping them thrive without the overwhelming burden of managing every aspect of the business.

By Joey Buscareno