Today we’d like to introduce you to Brecca Hipwell

Hi Brecca, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

REKO was a solution to the 2020 crisis that threatened all small producers here in the treasure valley. Local producers were still producing their goods but with restaurants closed, farmers markets struggling to meet the restrictions placed on them for opening, all methods of moving their goods were looking bleak. That’s when Tia Groves with Groves Country Mushrooms jumped into action with an idea she had seen a year before… REKO! A Facebook platform system to connect local producers with consumers 24/7. It was a preordering system that allowed people to shop and place their orders all week long then show up to one location at the same time every week to collect their locally produced goods from all vendors. Meridian is where is all began. We have since grown to have our own app, and 8 locations across the valley while supporting local producers to connect in a very convenient way!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

We have experienced several obstacles with our platform. We started out using facebook but quickly grew and experienced being throttled by Facebook. Our producers were having trouble posting in our groups and we realized we needed to have our own platform. With each platform change we have experienced a dip and rebuild process but we have finally landed in our final location with the REKO app and feel we are headed in the right direction! Both consumer and producer alike are loving the ease of shopping local in the app. The developers continue to make tweaks and changes to help it to become better. Overall this platform was built to support local producers, make shopping local convenient and transform the Farm to table availability!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

REKO is a Local Food Community. We specialize in connecting producer members with consumer members. The idea behind REKO is to continue to grow until each market is localized to its specific pickup locations. We want to inspire community, caring for our neighbors and serving one another and what better way than with food! Each week we get to see our members who have become friends. We get to participate in their lives. Hear about their ups and downs. Find ways to help each other through the tough time, celebrate each other in the good and find gratitude for each other in between. We value these friendships. We cherish the community and look forward to inviting many to join our local food movement!

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?

My favorite childhood memories were spent at my Grandma and Grandpas house riding horses, floating the canal and jumping on the trampoline. We were outside from sun up to sun down! So many special moments during that time of learning and growth. Now as a mother I encourage my boys to be outside as much as possible. The discovery and wonder of children playing outside in the dirt is truly where memories are made!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rekotreasurevalley.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rekotreasurevalley/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REKOIDAHO
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@reko-onlinefarmersmarket8180