Lindsay Hutchinson, owner of People’s Provisions in Elliottsburg, recently received two prestigious honors that highlight her impact on local and other communities. Hutchinson was named the recipient of the Young Alumna Award from her alma mater, Springfield College in Massachusetts, and earned a spot on the Central Penn Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list, recognizing her as one of the area’s top young professionals .

The Springfield College Young Alumna Award is given to graduates who have made notable contributions to their profession and community, while the Central PA Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award recognizes young leaders who are making a significant impact in their industry. Hutchinson’s passion for building community and supporting local farmers has earned him a unique place in the Perry County culinary scene, and the accolades reflect his success.

“I feel truly honored and grateful for this recognition,” Hutchinson said. “I’m really proud to be a part of the Springfield College and Perry County communities, and I know I wouldn’t be as successful if I hadn’t spent a lot of time with the people in those communities. She added that receiving these awards is “almost surreal” given her unconventional path to business ownership.

Hutchinson had no formal business experience when she launched the farm-to-table grocery store in May 2022. Instead, she relied on passion and support from the community. “I built this business with instinct, hard work and the support of many people. I’m still learning a lot as a business owner. »

People’s Provisions, which started as an online platform in 2019, quickly expanded to a physical location in Elliottsburg. The store is dedicated to connecting people with fresh, locally sourced produce and supporting local farmers. Hutchinson’s innovative “pay what you want” system has become a hallmark of his business, allowing customers to adjust their payment according to their financial situation. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to do so, helping to provide free food to those who need it.

Despite this recognition, Hutchinson remains grounded and focused. “I feel embarrassed as a business owner,” she admitted. “I didn’t go to business school, but I hope I can inspire other people who want to follow their dreams and make a positive impact to believe in themselves too. When we all do our little good, it does a lot of good.

Hutchinson hopes to use these awards to attract funding for future expansion projects. “With awards and recognition like this, I hope that major institutions, organizations and companies will help me fund projects. I don’t have the money right now, but I have the dream and the support of the community.

For Hutchinson, the ultimate goal is to continue building relationships and providing fresh, local food while ensuring farmers are fairly compensated for their work. She sees these awards as validation of her work and motivation to continue moving forward.

“I hope to expand our store to create a community space for more farm-to-table experiences and build a processing facility to expand our value-added production for our county’s farmers.” It’s really special to be able to use my connections to make a positive impact, not just for me, but for many people in Perry County.

For more information on the People’s Provisions, readers can visit the website at peoplesprovisions.com or follow on social media at facebook.com/peoplesprovisionspa And People Instagram.provisions.