WILLIAMSBURG — When the federal government shut down, one small family-run business decided to step up. Lofty Dreams Farm opened its farm stand to provide free produce for government employees and others in need, turning a time of uncertainty into an act of community care.
“It came over me that I could help, so we decided to help in the only way we could,” said Daniel Ryan.
The decision was rooted in personal experience and empathy.
“Growing up, we received SNAP benefits. My mom’s disabled on SNAP benefits,” he said. “I have a brother who’s retired military. I’ve seen him go through government shutdowns. My daughter’s best friend is a military family. So, you know, obviously, I could see their pain and anguish.”
For the family behind Lofty Dreams Farm, offering free produce was a way to return the kindness they’ve received.
“Our community supports us. This is an excellent opportunity for us to support them back,” Ryan said.
The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s been very positive,” Ryan said. “There have been many generous donors, even out of the area. So, you know, we’ve been very fortunate that we can still sustain this.”
Community connection has been a guiding principle for Lofty Dreams Farm since the beginning.
“The wife and I, when we had careers, we were isolated,” he said. “But once we started, you know, doing the farmer’s market and getting to know our neighbors and getting to know the community, it was just a black and white difference of what we experienced beforehand.”
Even before the shutdown, generosity was part of the farm’s quiet mission.
“We’ve always had the quiet policy of anybody who came up to us could always have what they needed,” he said. “So, you know, this year, it was more of a way that we could express it loudly and let people know that we are there for them.”
The family hopes others will take away a message of unity.
“Regardless of politics, backgrounds, you know, communities need to stay together, work together, and make sure that your neighbors are doing all right,” Ryan said. “Because a lot of times we don’t know if the neighbors are doing all right, because we’re too busy in our own world to realize it.”
Other local businesses have reached out to offer support.
“People like Michael at Williamsburg Jewelers or Amanda over at the Green Cauldron, they are a good personal friend of ours and they have reached out and they have supported us both emotionally and financially,” he said. “We really appreciate their good doings.”
The initiative has continued well beyond the initial shutdown announcement.
“Right now, it is still anybody who needs food,” he said. “I have several people call me every day, ask me if they can stop by. Obviously, on the weekends, you know, it’s a little more busy and we see more people.”
While the farm acknowledges it cannot sustain giving away all its inventory indefinitely, the family says helping others is simply what neighbors do.
“We are a for-profit business and it’s not a sustainable business model to give all your inventory away,” he said. “But at the end of the day, we’re all neighbors and I know if I were to need help, I could ask for help and get it from my neighbors.”
The effort, they added, reflects a larger belief in kindness and connection.
“Even people in need, they came up, gave us a couple bucks, their last dollar, said they would come back when they had money just because nobody wants to ask for help and it’s a shame because if somebody needs help, they should ask for it,” Ryan said.
As the shutdown continues, their efforts show that in times of uncertainty, compassion can be just as sustaining as a paycheck. And for many federal workers, that kindness is exactly what keeps hope alive until the doors of government, and normalcy, open once again.
