Farm to Table
A Directory of Fresh Food & Farmers
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ever before has it been so important to know where your food comes from. So much of the food we buy at the grocery store is in boxes and cans and full of fat, carbs and preservatives. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean meat is the key to good health. I grew up with a dad who planted a garden. Coming from a big family, my dad planted not one row of potatoes, or two, no he planted 8 rows! Working in the garden was not my favorite thing to do and my dad was very particular about how we did it. My older sister ended up doing a lot of the work along side Daddy, I toted water and sang hymns to them while they worked. My sister would cut her eyes over at me and glare… I guess she didn’t like my singing voice. Today there are thankfully many farmers who grow fields full of good food and sell it in roadside markets, local grocers and sometimes straight from the field. Many orchards sell their apples, pears, peaches, and berries the same way, either they pick them and sell them from the roadside or offer U-Pick options. Longcreek, South Carolina has always been a mecca for apples but many of those family owned orchards have closed. There remain enough to make it worth the drive. Tiger, Georgia is also known for apples, pears, persimmons, and berries. They’ve also made a name for themselves for growing grapes and making award-winning wines. The north end of the county is also in the wine industry and if you’ve ever driven through Rabun Gap you know that there are fields that provide much of the produce sold at Rabun’s largest produce market. Where’s the beef? Sorry I couldn’t resist, in 1984, fast food chain Wendy’s asked that question and it stuck. Today many are no longer satisfied with fat laden preformed patties. They want great beef and so where is it, you ask? Well I did my
10 GML - August 2020
research and can tell you that my family prefers field to fork beef. An animal raised in the field, grass-fed and minimally processed is better than beef that has never seen grass. Animals, whether it is cattle, poultry or pigs, that are raised humanely are a healthier option for families. Fresh eggs are richer and again chickens who are truly freerange produce healthier eggs with richer yolks. As you can tell by the many stores selling chicken coops, raising your own chickens is not only trendy, it’s smart. You then control what your chickens are fed and how they are treated, these variables produce eggs that are better all the way around. While we may not have found information on every farm or market we tried to compile an accurate and valuable list for you to find good food for your family. We recommend that you call ahead to gain more information before you load the kids in the car and head out to visit the markets. In light of Covid-19 many things have changed.
HABERSHAM COUNTY, GA North Georgia Farmers’ Market – A non-profit organization made up of local chemical free growers and artisans, our farmers’ market operates Saturday mornings in the heart of Downtown Clarkesville, Georgia from May through September. Due to the restrictions at this time farmers’ market vendors are happy to announce that they will be selling veggies and wares to the community using no/low contact pick-up options to help everyone feel safe, comfortable, and well fed during COVID-19. The mission of our market is to connect farmers and artisans with community members in a way that
