Where To Find Farm To Table Foods

Posted on April 1st, 2022

With Spring comes an abundance of fresh produce and healthier eating. The best way to get the most out of your produce in both flavor and nutrients is to get it as fresh as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to find farm-to-table foods. You may have heard about this new movement either and you likely have a handful of restaurants in your area doing this exact thing. Here we tell you what the farm-to-table movement is all about and some ways you can try it locally yourself.

What is Farm-To-Table?

Farm-to-table is exactly what it sounds like. It is eating a meal that is cooked with ingredients obtained directly from the producer without passing through an intermediary such as a store or vendor. While we typically think of products such as produce, meat, and flowers that come from farmers or homesteaders, this can actually include any product from a producer such as a winery, brewery, fishery, or any type of food producer that delivers such a service. While it seems like such a simple idea, the convenience of grocery stores with all their processed foods and convenience, farm-to-table food has become a less popular idea over the last several decades. However, with the renewed interest in becoming eco-friendly and eating better, healthier foods, the farm-to-table movement is making a comeback.

Why Is Farm-To-Table Better?

There are many advantages to buying farm-to-table products. For starters, the products are much fresher since they are typically harvested within a day or even hours of you purchasing it. This means the item will contain more of its original nutrients and flavor compared to days- to weeks-old foods from larger grocery store chains. You may actually be surprised by the flavors or fresh foods! It also allows you to support local small businesses and build relationships directly in your community. Additionally, you can start a healthier lifestyle. With farm-to-table foods, you can pick up an abundance of produce to eat in place of processed foods from the grocery store that are high in bad fats, sodium, carbohydrates, and preservatives.

How Do You Find Farm-To-Table Foods?

Part of the farm-to-table movement is about the experience. Visiting a local farm or homestead can be a fun, educational event for the whole family. If you’re ready to try out farm-to-table foods, here are a couple of ways you can find it in your area.


Go Straight To The Farm. The most obvious way is to find a local farm that sells directly to the customer. Here you may find anything from fresh fruit and veggies, eggs, and butter, to meats, butter, flowers, seeds, and even Christmas Trees. Some farms will even have their own marketplace where they take their produce and turn them into baked goods, canned foods, and even ice cream for you to enjoy right away. At Doran's Chance Farm, Inc. in Marriotsville, Maryland, you can buy a wide range of produce including local honey, preserves & jellies, and granola, meet their pygmy goats and pick out the perfect pumpkin at their pumpkin patch in the Fall. Visit it here: https://bupperts.com 

Find A Local Homestead. Homesteads are similar to farms but on a smaller scale. A homestead is typically started by an individual or group of people who share a common interest in providing healthier options and making or growing things themselves. For example, one homestead called Local HomeStead Products was started by Trevor Hoff who began raising Angus beef cattle on his own now has an on-farm homestead that sells local honey, Maryland Maple Syrup, an exclusive line of jams and jellies, glass-bottled milk, beef jerky and a long line of fresh produce! Visit today: http://www.lhp.farm/home.html 

Check Your Grocery Store. Some grocery stores will partner up with local farmers to regularly purchase fresh produce and meats so you can pick up some fresh items without having to make a special trip. The next time you visit your small local grocery store or co-op, look for stands in the produce and meat sections that state whether the food is local or ask the grocery store manager if they carry farm-to-table foods. For example, a few stores that carry local foods are Whole Market Foods and Trader Joe's. About 25 percent of the produce sold at Whole Market Foods comes from local farmers and Trader Joe's only buys directly from manufacturers or growers, not distributors or middlemen.

Visit A Weekend Farmer's Market. A farmer's market is a place where local producers gather to sell their items. Here you can find anything from fresh fruits and vegetables to baked goods to homemade items. A few ways to see if your town has a farmers market is to check your local paper, hometown website, or Facebook community page to see if any markets have been scheduled. You can also check out these local farmer markets in the Maryland and Virginia area:
https://www.centralfarmmarkets.com
https://bethesda.centralfarmmarkets.com
https://catonsville.org/chamber-events/community-outreach/catonsvilles-farmers-markets/

If you need a new refrigerator to store your fresh produce or a new oven to cook them in, visit your local Bray & Scarff appliance dealer. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to help you today!