In the 1950s, Kutztown farmer Norman Berger raised a variety of fresh produce, his hens provided eggs, and his cows and cattle provided milk and meat.

Folks in urban areas had limited access to goods, so farmers such as Berger conducted what is now called “direct to consumer” marketing.

Several times a week, Norman and his wife, Goldie, packed up their locally grown goods onto his 1950s International pickup and drove to the city of Reading.

Residents of Reading and the greater Berks County area depended on these weekly fresh deliveries.

Supermarkets as we know them today did not exist.

In addition, many families did not have reliable transportation to get to where the food was available.

Families relied on these weekly deliveries to supplement their pantry of staples.

“The customers most wanted eggs and potatoes,” Goldie, 89, states

Norman and Goldie operated their huckster route more than 20 years.

Many people today believe farm-to-table is not only a unique new concept, but a valuable time saver.

A quick Google search for fresh produce deliveries produces a variety of options to choose from for the rebirth of the huckster route.

Norman and Goldie farmed for 40 years alongside Norman’s brother, Earl, and Goldie’s twin sister, Lottie.

Two brothers and two twin sisters ran the family farm in Berks County.

Norman and Goldie had three sons, the eldest was Victor. He took over the family farm.

Victor had two children, the eldest Kerry who followed in his family’s footsteps and took over the fifth generation of the family farm.

Kerry’s sister, Kelly, supports the agricultural community as a Penn State Extension Educator in the 4-H program.

Each of Norman and Goldie’s grandchildren have two children who are carrying on the farm family tradition as members of the Lehigh County 4-H Potato Judging Club.

These four great grandchildren recently competed against a total of 139 4-H members from 13 counties across the state at the 2020 PA Farm Show in the 4-H Potato Grading and Identification Contest.

This generation is too young to remember the many years of harvesting and grading potatoes for the family huckster route, but they are keeping a family tradition alive.

Konnor Weisner, 10, was named the top individual scorer at this year’s contest from over 118 other contestants ages 8-18.

Only one-half point behind was his cousin Sadie Berger, 13, placing second overall.

Konnor, Sadie and two other teammates carried their “B” team to first place out of 20 teams in B division.

Marisa, 15, placing 27th overall and her team placing fifth in A division.

The youngest, Alex Weisner, 5, participated for his first year, as a 4-H Cloverbud.

Victor, their grandfather is very proud this generation is keeping his family’s tuber skills current, even though the farm no longer grows potatoes.

“I’m glad to have these kids help on the farm, knowing they are keeping a family tradition alive,” he said.

Both families continue to raise potatoes in their family gardens.

Contact Kelly Weisner at kmb26@psu.edu for more information.