Farm to Table: Choosing Local Food

You’ve probably heard the term “farm to table.” It’s not a new concept. But, it is one that more people are starting to look into. So, what does “farm to table” really mean? This month, we hope to help you understand. Therefore, we will go over what it is and why you should choose to support it. It’s more than just a movement. In other words, it’s a way of life.

The Farm to Table Concept

In short, farm to table means your food travels less before it gets to you. It cuts out the middlemen. Whether in a restaurant or your groceries for the week, the less time it travels, the fresher it will be. It’s as simple as that. When you buy direct, you get the newest product. Not to mention, you’re boosting your local economy. Local farmers have to work harder and smarter to compete with big retailers. However, their product is superior. Here are a few benefits of choosing a farm to table way of life:

Firstly, you get the best products. Whether that’s meat, produce, or other products, buying from the source is always better. You can talk to the maker. You can ask questions. The more you know, the better you will feel. When you buy off the grocery store shelf, you have no idea what that product has been through. Yet, a farmer will be able to tell you what you need to know. Want to know what the animal was fed? No problem. Want to know who raised them? They can tell you. The farm to table concept helps you to understand the importance of food production. What you see isn’t always what you get when it comes to large retailers. In turn, food is often full of preservatives or produced in less than ideal conditions.

It’s time to start caring more about what you’re putting into your body.

Where to Shop

Some people want to shop for local goods. However, they don’t always know where to find them. Therefore, they end up stocking up from a big box retailer. But, there are lots of places you can look. Now more than ever, there are options for you.

1. Buy Direct – Go to farms and buy directly from them. Many local farms even have farm stores onsite. For example, Hilltop Acres has a farm store on the property. So, you can visit us in store. Or, you can order online. Then, pickup your order when you can. Either way, we are here to help you get the best product. We aim to fill orders as quick as possible. We are also here to answer any questions you might have. That’s a benefit of visiting the farm for yourself. We take pride in the products we carry. We only carry local! So, you can leave feeling good about the food you purchase.
2. Farmers Market – Do you have a market where you live? More and more places have been starting up markets throughout the year. It’s not just for summer anymore. Markets allow for vendors to sell their seasonal products all year round. So, you may not find summer vegetables. But, there are still lots of options out there. Some vegetables keep well into the winter. Check out this guide for Whats In Season?
3. Food Shares – Have you heard of a food share? It’s a great way to get local produce. Basically, you sign up for the year and each week you get local, seasonal produce. It’s the perfect way to secure customers for farmers, and help you get the produce you want. It’s a win-win situation. Search for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) here. There might be a farm in your area!

Farm to Table Restaurants

Local restaurants are also hopping on the farm to table trend. And, why wouldn’t they? In farm to table restaurants, you will see simple dishes; Dishes that’s showcase ingredients. When you have the best product, you can let it shine. The food is picked at peak freshness and delivered direct. It’s bursting with flavor. Not to mention, it’s more nutritious. It’s all about the experience.

There are many benefits to a farm to table restaurant. For example, it makes local food available to the community. While farm to table shopping might not be for everyone, dining out at a farm to table restaurant is a treat. It’s a dinner that is special in its way. And, you can leave happy knowing a few things:

• You supported in your local farmers.
• You helped the environment. Shorter shipping times means less greenhouse gases.
• You enjoyed a meal that was sourced in your area.

All of these things add up to create that experience. And, that’s what farm to table is. It’s an experience for the person eating the meal. One you can feel good about at that.

Seasonal Recipes for October

It’s finally starting to feel like fall. It’s such a lovely time of year – full of beautiful colors and delicious comfort foods. Although many things are no longer in season, there are several great ingredients to choose from.

So, let’s take a look at what’s in season this October.

• Apples
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Squash
• Beets
• Sweet Potato
• Pumpkin

And now, to check out some fantastic recipes. We’ve come up with a few for every meal. Of course, we added some desserts in there as well! It’s time to do some fall cooking.

Breakfast

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

Butternut Squash Quiche

Lunch

Brussel Sprout, Kale and Apple Salad with Maple Cider Dressing

Carrot, Sweet Potato, and Feta Fritters

Cheese and Onion Stuffed Squash

Dinner

Sausage and Cider Casserole

Mexican Chicken, Black Bean, and Sweet Potato Skillet

Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash

Dessert

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake

That’s it for this month. But, we think you’ll be delighted to try out some of these farm to table recipes. Plus, we hope you have a better idea of why it’s important and how to support it. But, above all, we hope you visit us in the store. It’s been a challenging year, but we are still going strong because of customers like you. Thank you!