The Bootstrap Farm Club launched in May of 2019, the summer before the Covid Pandemic. It's Founder, Susan Sigel, is a locavore, a foodie who had recently moved to the mainland after 18 years on the Island of Martha's Vineyard. Always a gardener and grower, Susan learned to Eat Local while raising her child on the Island, where they were surrounded by farms, farmers and ideas of living sustainably. Over time, the idea of owning a small Local Food Hub bore its' way into her mind, supported by the need to do something beneficial for the Earth, and to be connected to her community. 

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In a perfect storm of opportunity, the idea became reality, and the Bootstrap Farm Club opened in Cataumet, MA, just a block away from the 1790's farmhouse that Susan had purchased after leaving Martha's Vineyard.

Hard-won relationships with farms and makers were established, providing local and organic produce, meats, dairy, chicken, eggs, pasta, and pot pies. The community came, saw what we had, and together we all grew. The business fed more families than were ever envisioned during the Pandemic, expanded, contracted a bit, and then found it's stride. We were blessed by the addition of Eileen Blakes Pies and Otherwise, a brand that also came from Martha's Vineyard. Life was good, and we had PIE.

 

We learned who we are, what we do best, and to always appreciate those who make it happen -- our farmers, our makers, our members and customers.

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Today, The Bootstrap has become a fixture of the local community. A welcome resource in the food desert of the Upper Cape, a piece of the solution, along with Cataumet Fish and our neighbor Somerset Creamery. We feed local families, visitors, tourists, and other small business owners. We do it all on a zero-waste model, where we buy small, and donate excess before it spoils, if need be. And now it's time for Susan's next chapter and that too, for the little store with the fabulous local food. 

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As with all things Bootstrap, we have been blessed, through connections in the community, and connections to Martha's Vineyard, in finding our next generation ownership. 

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Chris and Kristin Bergeron, lifelong Cataumet residents, loved and respected members of our community, with deep connections to Martha's Vineyard where Chris has worked for the last 11 years, will take over The Bootstrap upon opening of the 2026 season. Kristin's grandparents, the Haslam's, lived for 73 years in the farmhouse that Susan bought. The tables in the store are made old from doors of that house, the old storm windows are on the porch. Connections that were never imagined, but that are without a doubt meant to be, were obvious to us all as we built this transition. Susan will support, assist and set-free the Bootstrap to capable, qualified, loving new owners this year. Everyone wins, especially those of us who love great food and a good story.

 

So come see us, meet the new owners and wish Susan well on her new adventures. It's a new beginning, with everything you loved from before still right there.  

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