International Year of the Woman Farmer: Tanya Soltis
Behind the Scenes: Connecting the Field to the Market Shelves
As part of our celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, we’re highlighting the women of Pineland Farms whose work helps shape the experiences visitors enjoy every season. From planting the first seeds in the soil to ensuring the final product ends up in a shopper’s basket, it takes a dedicated team to bring local agriculture to the public.
At the heart of that connection is Tanya Soltis, Perishable Grocery Buyer at the Pineland Farms Market. With nearly 11 years at Pineland Farms and a deep background in the culinary world, she has made it her mission to ensure that the freshest local products are always available to the community—bridging the vital gap between the farm and the retail shelf.
From the Kitchen to the Market
Tanya’s journey to the retail side of agriculture began in the kitchen. She attended culinary school in 2000 and spent years cooking and baking in a variety of high-end establishments, including upscale restaurants, catering companies, and gourmet shops.
That extensive culinary experience gave her a profound appreciation for high-quality ingredients, which eventually led her to Pineland Farms in September of 2015.
“I started as a baker,” she recalls, reflecting on how her role has evolved over the last decade. After the pandemic, she transitioned into her current role as the Perishable Grocery Buyer, swapping the mixing bowls for inventory management while keeping her focus entirely on exceptional food.
Life as a Perishable Grocery Buyer
For Tanya, there is no waiting around for the day to start. Her mornings begin early, requiring a sharp eye for detail and an immediate evaluation of the Market’s needs.
“Starting at 6 AM, I will come in and evaluate the needs of inventory,” she says. “Then I set about ordering from the many different vendors I work with.”
Managing the flow of a bustling local market means maintaining a tight relationship with the people who grow the food. Tanya works hand-in-hand with Pineland’s own produce division, as well as an array of neighboring producers, to curate what lands on the shelves.
“We work very closely,” she explains. “It is our goal here at the Market to get the freshest local product available.”
When asked about the most rewarding aspect of working at the unique intersection of agriculture and retail, her answer comes down to relationships: “Getting to know all of the local vendors.”
Strawberry Season and the Summer Rush
When June and July arrive, the energy at Pineland Farms shifts into high gear. Strawberry season is a major milestone on the farm calendar, and it demands absolute coordination between the fields and the storefront.
For Tanya and her team at the Market, the arrival of the berries signals one thing: “That we are going to be very busy!”
The reputation of Pineland’s harvest reaches far beyond the local neighborhood. “We have people that come from quite a distance to get our products,” Tanya says. The summer rush builds momentum in waves, tracing the natural lifecycle of the Maine growing season. “It starts with asparagus, then strawberries, corn, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and most recently, fresh flowers.”
Getting those delicate, fresh-picked strawberries from the fields to the storefront shelves is no small feat. It requires an immense amount of coordinated labor before the Market doors even open. “A huge team of pickers start their day early and work to fulfill the huge demand,” she notes.
Seeing that hard work pay off is Tanya’s favorite part of the season. “People come far and wide for our strawberries, and it is really awesome to see how excited they are to get them.”
And how does the Market’s grocery buyer enjoy the harvest herself? “I really got into strawberry milkshakes this year,” she admits.
Managing the Flow of the Harvest
With Pineland’s produce division growing a massive variety of crops throughout the year—ranging from early peas and zucchini to sweet corn and autumn pumpkins—stocking the Market requires careful seasonal planning.
Fortunately, nature provides its own timeline, keeping the inventory manageable. “Not everything is harvested at the same time, so there isn’t a lot of overlap,” Tanya explains. “This way it isn’t overwhelming.”
While summer brings the crowds, Tanya’s personal allegiance belongs to the later months of the year. When asked which crop she looks forward to the most, her choice points directly toward the changing leaves. “Our winter squashes,” she says. “Fall is my absolute most favorite season.”
No matter the month, she believes the secret to Pineland’s success is deeply rooted in the community’s trust. What sets their produce apart from what you might find at a standard grocery chain is simple: “The reputation and word-of-mouth of Pineland produce.”
Connecting Customers to the Farm
One of the unique challenges of food retail is helping shoppers recognize the physical effort and proximity behind the items in their grocery cart. Many visitors don’t realize just how close the fields are to the Market shelves. For instance, Olivia’s Garden Greenhouses are located right here on the Pineland Farms Campus and the Market sells their basil, spring mix, mini cukes, and cherry & beefsteak tomatoes. The Pineland Farms Produce Division is just a 10 minute drive down the road and is where our Pineland Farms produce comes from plus the location of our pick your own fields.
“Because a lot of our produce can be picked by our customers, we always try to point that out so people can get a hands-on experience,” she says. By encouraging shoppers to step out into the “Pick Your Own” fields, the Market helps transform a standard grocery trip into a lasting connection with the land.
Ultimately, her goal for every person who walks through the doors is centered on quality and community. She hopes customers take away a sense of satisfaction “that they will enjoy whatever they get and will return year after year.”
Women in Agriculture
As part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Tanya reflects on what it means to be a woman shaping local food systems and driving agricultural retail forward. It is a demanding environment that requires resilience, but the purpose behind the work keeps her grounded.
“It is a lot of hard work,” she reflects, “but worth it when I know how many people are depending on what we produce.”
For the next generation of women or young people looking to break into the world of produce, agricultural retail, or farming, Tanya offers a realistic but encouraging piece of advice: “Expect to work hard!”
A Lasting Impact
Looking back on her eleven years with Pineland Farms, Tanya’s most meaningful memory highlights her dedication to keeping the community sustained during its most challenging moments.
“Working through the pandemic to provide food for people when many places were shut down,” she shares, stands out as a defining moment in her career. “Customers were very appreciative to have us to turn to.”
That same bond with the community is exactly what fuels her drive every morning when she walks into the Market at 6 AM. What keeps her passionate about food systems year after year?
“The excitement of our customers when the growing season gets under-way!”
Interested in experiencing the harvest at Pineland Farms this summer? Stop by the Market & Welcome Center to explore our freshly stocked local produce, or head out to the fields for our Pick Your Own seasons. We’ll see you at the Market!
