By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- A family with ties to Potsdam is looking to create a commercial kitchen to better connect local food with schools, colleges, grocery stores and the community.

Construction is set to begin in April on a 300-square foot kitchen that will also serve as a home for one of the people behind the project. It will be located just south of SUNY Potsdam on about 18 acres of land that was previously used as land for horses.

Will Trithart, who graduated from Potsdam Central School, will live in the upstairs of the house with his wife Sarah Lister and will operate the kitchen out of the first floor once construction is complete.

“We looked all over and wanted a place near Potsdam or between Canton and Potsdam,” he said. “We fell in love with this location.”

Trithart says the town planning board approved his site. He is waiting on building permits before a contractor starts work this spring.

“I expect it take about a year before things are up and running,” he said.

Once done, the commercial portion will include coolers, a loading dock and storage areas.

He will work with his mother, Rose Rivezzi, a town councilwoman and retired teacher from Parishville-Hopkinton Central School, as they work toward their goal of making local food more accessible to the community.

“Farmers often don't have time to market and hopefully I can break down those barriers for them,” he said.

Healthy food has always been dear to mother and son.

“This was a common vision between Will and I…something we talked about a lot over the years,” Rivezzi said. “As I got into my last years of teaching I started thinking about what I wanted to do.”

Rivezzi says every year she has taken new steps in providing good local food for her family from having personal gardens, being heavily involved with the local co-op and buying local meats.

“I want to know where my food comes from and I believe wholesome food should be available to everyone,” she said.

Trithart says food will be cooked and packaged for purchase for people to buy, realizing that not everyone can cook every night.

“I want people to move away from frozen foods…or if it is frozen, buy local because it is better than buying from corporations,” Trithart said.

Rivezzi says she believes people have gotten away from cooking food and hopes through education that people learn that eating better does not need to be “complicated, expensive or time consuming.”

Part of getting local food to the community will be through classes teaching people how to cook using local, fresh and healthy ingredients.

Trithart went to culinary school and says his love for cooking, eating and sharing wholesome foods are driving forces behind this new venture.

Sarah Lister, Trithart’s wife, will assist with the business side of things while Rivezzi expects to be involved with cooking classes and daily operations.

“He’ll be the workhorse,” Rivezzi said about her son. “I believe he has the drive and energy to do this.”

Trithart says he hopes to outgrown the site leading to jobs noting that they are limited with the zoning as to the things they can do.

“I am excited to work with others in the food business,” Trithart said.

“This is non-competitive as we want to help everyone in St. Lawrence County…we are not trying to compete with the co-op or restaurants,” he said.

“We are real excited to bring this to the community.” Rivezzi said.

The project is being self-funded.