Image Source: Earth Balance
Farm to Table has become a popular concept lately.   There are farm to table restaurants, farm to table stores, farm to table t-shirts and earlier this year, Target even was selling farm to table home decor in their dollar section.  Even though you have probably heard the term a few dozen times, do you understand what the Farm to Table movement is truly about?  
Farming and gardening used to be a common way of life for most families.  They would have a small garden that sustained their produce needs in place of regular trips to the grocery store.  Now that our local grocery store supplies our produce needs which can be flown in from countries worldwide, we have lost the connection to fresh, local produce.  Often the produce is picked early so it can take the time of packaging, shipping and shelf life.  You miss out of the final flavor development as the produce ripens fully in the ground.
Farm to Table connects customers with local farms to enjoy local, in season produce picked at peak of flavor.  We are fortunate in North Georgia to have a wide variety of Farmer's Markets to choose from.  This allows customers to buy directly from the farmers and use in their home cooked meals.  
Farm to Table restaurants like 61 Main - www.61main.com - take this a step further by using the local, in season produce direct from farmers and creating delicious meals to showcase the flavors.  We love partnering with 61 Main and chef/owner Jenna Schrieber on our Farm to Table dinners.  Jenna sources the produce for each dinner to create a unique meal and share with the diners the inspiration behind each meal.  One of the early dinners this year featured a corn salsa pairing with the chilled bistro steak since corn was available before tomatoes this season.  On another meal, Jenna boiled down the corn cobs to create a jelly that she sweetened the butter that went with the biscuits - amazing!
The growth of vineyards in the Ellijay and Blueridge area is also a great asset to the dinners.  We have featured hard cider from Mercier Orchards and a favorite red wine from Cane Creek Vineyard - Mountain Harvest Red.
Farm to Table is focused on community and we often serve the Farm to Table dinners family style to create that community among guests.  Cale and I look forward to these dinners as a way for us to connect with guests, share about our farm and see everyone enjoy a delicious meal, live music and friendship.
We would love to have you join us for a dinner next season - keep up to date on Facebook for the dates as we post them!
- Becky