InTouch with Southern Kentucky April 2020 | Page 16

JANIE SLAVEN I CJ
From the Vine produce market is located at 610 Waddle Street in Ferguson.
Sinkhorn noted that the market fit
in perfectly with their initial con-
cept, which was mission-oriented.
Through the owner, Hall learned
that in addition to the market, the
business also had a commercial side
— distributing to hospital, restau-
rants, and schools.
“We knew nothing about produce,”
Anger said. “It was really a leap of
faith.”
With the women committed
to keeping the market open, the
original owners were able to keep
in business until the sale closed to
prevent a gap in service.
“We lost a few bids because [those
customers] were given notice we
were closing,” Hall said. “There are
still some schools we’ve got to get
back, we’ve got to put some bids in
on some contracts and things we’ve
16 • I n T ouch with S outhern K entucky 
never done before. But I know God’s
going to orchestrate that. His will be
done; if they’re not meant for us, we
won’t get them and if they are, we
will.”
In naming their new venture, the
ladies were inspired by John 15:5
(“I am the vine; you are the branch-
es…”).
“We’ve been amazed from Day One
how it has just taken off,” Sinkhorn
added. “God has just taken over.…
To see how he put us all together
is incredible enough but then to
see how, day by day, He has taught
us.…We’ve learned it; it’s taken off
and grown.”
It’s been a group project, with the
women and their families pitching in
to help staff for whatever’s needed.
One of their first projects was to
add a ramp to make the location
more accessible for the disabled.
Having come into ownership
after the end of growing season,
the ladies are now gearing up for
a new season’s peak. During the
winter, From the Vine received three
truckloads per week from a supplier
in northern Kentucky and are now
looking forward to working with
local growers as well as spring gets
underway.
“Our customers come from all over,”
Anger said of the market, adding that
the distribution side runs from Lincoln
County down into Tennessee and west
to Albany. “We want to expand our
radius on the commercial side.”
From the Vine tries to make sure that
nothing goes to waste — donating to
soup kitchens and shelters as well as
allowing farmers to pick up excess
they can use.
M arch 2020