Have you ever pondered the origins of the delicious dishes at your beloved local eatery? The farm-to-table movement is answering this curiosity. Through the process of growing, harvesting, and directly delivering produce, meats, and other food products from local farms to consumers, restaurants, and markets they avoid the traditional supply chain.
The movement aims to minimize the distance food travels, ensuring freshness, reducing carbon footprints, and supporting local farmers.
”The farm-to-table movement is more than a fleeting trend; it’s a commitment to a sustainable, ethical, and locally focused food system. By reconnecting consumers with the sources of their food, it promotes environmental stewardship, supports local economies, and leads to healthier eating habits.
Farm to Table Magazine
How Does Farm-to-Table Work?
The farm to table process can vary, but it generally follows these steps:
Take a culinary tour of the many farm-to-table restaurants in the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area in the following curated tour. We encourage you to check out the various locations for a date night or social visit with friends to help support local agriculture.
The Farmhouse in Fort Collins sources from local farms and has their own little farm on-site, with a 1/4 -acre of land and a chicken coop. The restaurant is set up in a 130-year-old building where you can peruse the seasonal menu items made from scratch and local ingredients. Learn more.
Housed in historic downtown Windsor, Chimney Park’s original building from 1895 has undergone a recent renovation. The restaurant sources local, seasonal, and organic products from Colorado and surrounding region. They offer two dining rooms for guests and a full bar for cocktail service and hors d’oeuvres prior to dinner. Learn more.
After moving to Colorado, Linda Orcutt met her current husband, Jim, a farmer and cattle rancher from Nebraska. Jim brought his green thumb and award-winning beef to Linda’s culinary world. Together, they created “Thyme For A Taste,” in Windsor sharing their farm-to-table food and culinary knowledge. They host farm-to-table dinners on their property. Learn more.
Located in the heart of downtown Greeley, Meeker’s was named after founder of Union Colony (now Greeley), Nathan Meeker. Continuing the tradition of locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant combines downtown dining and Colorado cuisine. Learn more.
Their menu included several comfort food choices, including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian dishes. They incorporate as many organic and local ingredients as possible, making them a favorite farm-to-fork location in Fort Collins. Learn more.
If you are interested in learning more about local agriculture and how to support local businesses, Morning Fresh Dairy and the Bee Family Farm have additional resources available.
Tour a Dairy Farm
Morning Fresh Dairy is a fifth-generation family dairy located in the beautiful Pleasant Valley in Bellvue, Colorado. Since 1984 the Graves family has owned All Natural dairy. The farm has implemented sustainable land use practices, top of the line cow care, and minimal processing in the production of their products. The term “farm-to-table” is put into practice with their home delivery service. They raise their own cows, grow their own feed, bottle their own milk, and deliver it right to your doorstep.
The farm provides 60–90-minute tours for $6 a person. The cows don’t expect you to dress up, so wear comfortable shoes and be ready for a walking tour of the farm! Learn more.
Online Tour
The Bee Family Farm is the historic preservation of an original homestead founded at the start of development of Northern Colorado. It has been maintained as an active family farm since 1894 and is designated a “Centennial Farm” by the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Historical Society. 140 acres of the original 160-acre farm has been placed in a conservation easement and sold to Colorado State University. 10 acres has been retained for the museum site. The historic farm facility is operated as a non-profit enterprise providing an educational resource for the region to document and celebrate the agricultural history of Larimer County and Northern Colorado.
The museum site is currently closed, but there is an online tour available where you can learn more about the farm operations and history. Learn more.
Colorado Farm to Table
Colorado Farm to Table is a Colorado State University Extension program aiming to educate the state about the importance of farm-to-table food, empower local growers and provide educational resources for the community. Learn more.
FoCo Café
The first non-profit restaurant in Fort Collins, offering a unique “pay-what-you-can” setting, where their cash register is replaced with a donation box. Their daily menu selections are made primarily using fresh, locally grown ingredients. Learn more.
Visit a Local Farmers’ Market
A local farmers’ market is an easy way to gain direct access to produce from local farmers on a regular basis.
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