Press
New York Magazine
The Most Powerful New Yorkers You’ve Never Heard Of: 49 People Who Are Actually Running the City.
“It became a status thing for me to form that relationship and to be someone they are going to hold their top crop for,' says Andrew Sutin, the executive chef of the Mary Lane. He’d strike up conversations with Kurdieh, talk technique, and invite the farmer and his wife, Haifa, to the restaurant... 'Building this relationship has been one of the most important things I’ve done for my career — period.”
August 4th 2023
Modern Farmer:
Meet the Flavor-Focused Farmers Cultivating More Than a Thousand Crops
“What began in 1998 with a few types of Middle Eastern vegetables grown in their backyard garden has since expanded into what Kurdieh refers to as “an international endeavor that is way bigger than our culinary heritage” and builds on the cultural identities of all 40 or so members of their farm team, as well as partnerships with farmers around the world.”
Eleven Madison Park:
THE SECRETS OF THE SOIL: HOW NORWICH MEADOWS FARM BECAME NY'S MOST LOVED ORGANIC GROWERS
“Despite the farm’s scale, Zaid, Haifa, and their team of farmers tend to their crops with the same love and attention to detail as a home garden. They enrich the soil with natural fertilizers such as kelp, and they never use harsh pesticides or chemicals. This works to protect the health of the land rather than depleting it, and leads to tastier, more nutritious crops. “Flavor and nutrition go hand-in-hand,” notes Zaid.”
March 27th 2022
The Cornucopia Institute:
New York City’s most memorable meals start in the fields of Norwich Meadows Farm
“New York City’s most memorable meals start in the fields of Norwich Meadows Farm… Zaid and Haifa are betting that their shared yearning for high-quality produce will continue to sustain their organic farm, while also benefiting the regional economy.”
July 30, 2019
New York Times:
Secret of a New York Farm Stand’s Success: An Eye for the Next Big Thing
“Zaid is like the best kind of chef,” Dan Barber, the chef and co-owner of the two Blue Hill restaurants, wrote in an email. “He’s willing to take a bet on unknown varieties with no known market just to experiment with what he believes will yield better flavor. His farmers’ market stand is like a supermarket of future possibilities.”
NOFA-NY
Farmer of the Year 2022
Each year, NOFA-NY members and supporters have the opportunity to nominate a NOFA-NY Certified Organic farmer who has gone above and beyond for organic so that we can pay tribute to them at the Winter Conference. This award celebrates inspiring farmers who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and integrity in building a strong organic movement in New York State – a sentiment that was reflected in the nomination of Zaid Kurdieh:
“Zaid is an innovative farmer who focuses on soil health and understands micronutrients and their importance. He works with seed breeders to help serve the farming community with vigorous cultivars, shares his knowledge widely, and is very well respected.”
We applaud Zaid’s work at Norwich Meadows Farm and look forward to providing him with an opportunity to share his story and commitment to growing a stronger organic movement.
Cornell University
Edible Manhattan
Observer Dispatch
New School Free Press
Country Folks Grower
The Cornucopia Institute
The Jerusalem Post
