Local Farm to Table Love

What is the real meaning of farm-to-table? Seems self explanatory. Not only has the food inspired a craze, but there is an entire lifestyle behind it and interior design has been hugely influenced with farmhouse design.

Here’s the Wikipedia definition:

Farm-to-table is a social movement which promotes serving local food at restaurants and school cafeterias, preferably through direct acquisition from the producer (which might be a winery, brewery, ranch, fishery, or other type of food producer which is not strictly a “farm”). This might be accomplished by a direct sales relationship, a community-supported agriculture arrangement, a farmer’s market, a local distributor or by the restaurant or school raising its own food. Farm-to-table often incorporates a form of food traceability (celebrated as “knowing where your food comes from”) where the origin of the food is identified to consumers. 

Locally we’ve got some serious farm-rock-stars in the arena. I know in the Hudson Valley it’s hardcore. My sister and her husband are looking to become part of it. Stay tuned on that!

But the Sunshine State better be in the game. We are, after all, the SUNSHINE state! The best place to find out about local farm happenings is at Florida Food & Farm. Be careful, it’s an addicting world. Here are the players and influencers:

Kai Kai Farm

Their mission: Grow and package fresh, safe and nutritious vegetables which customers want and are willing to pay a fair price for, enabling sustainability, growth, and innovation in fresh produce production.

Swank Table & Specialty Produce

I’ve been to an event here…it was totally rad.

Sons & Daughters Farm & Winery

I’m looking forward to exploring this special place.

Their history begins: In 2005, a series of hurricanes decimated the then-crumbling commercial nursery that had stood for nearly 3 decades at 5926 Fearnley Rd. The next several years were spent nurturing the land into an organic state free of chemicals, while also planting crops that would naturally thrive without pesticides and other harmful agricultural practices.

And here’s what they say about the Kombucha:

We then realized that ourselves and others deserved to have a non-alcoholic alternative that was just as carefully and lovingly crafted as the wine that we served.  And thus we started producing and refining Kombucha, an amazingly healthy fermented black tea frequently consumed in both Eastern Europe and Asia.  The result was a sparkling, crystal clear, and surprisingly refined drink that conjures up an elegant and festive experience for all those who imbibe. 

So how do you create your own farm table vibe at home?? Stay tuned… for now, visit some of our locals for some farm to table love!