Locally sourced food is more important than ever and Taste has eight places for great REAL food in 2021. Sign up for a share in a CSA program or put in an order through an online farm store. You can even have locally sourced meals regularly prepared by a highly regarded regional chef and delivered to your door.
8 Places for Great Real Food in 2021
Last year consumers saw shortages at chain stores. And with everything from schools to restaurants closing, farmers needed to find new ways to market their products. The good news was the meaning of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) evolved and farmers connected with consumers directly on a whole new level. Make these folks part of your “real food” shopping list and support family farms and local small businesses.
2021 CSA Programs
If you’re not familiar with the term CSA, it means ”community-supported agriculture.” Consumers buy “shares” in a farm’s growing season. And there are a limited number of shares which helps ensure plenty of produce in your weekly allotment. Learn more about CSA’s, the risks and rewards, and the relationship between farmers and customers. Here are three CSA programs worth checking out.
David Lay Farms (Stephens City, VA): The farm is offering a limited number of 12-week shares, starting in May. Each week, participants will receive a ½ bushel of 7 to 10 different fruits and vegetables. Price is $420 and INCLUDES DELIVERY to your door – just put a cooler on your front porch the day you’re to receive your bounty. Delivery areas include Frederick and Clarke counties, portions of the WV panhandle, and Loudoun County. You can also pick up your weekly share at the farm.
“This is like growing your own garden. Everything is seasonal so you will not get sweet corn in May,” says David Lay. Through the growing season, shareholders will receive a wide variety of produce grown through sustainable practices. David Lay Farms will also offer a 2nd CSA session beginning in mid-September for late summer and fall garden offerings. To learn more, contact David at (540) 974-0177.
Lydia’s Fields (Loudoun County): Come out to the farm and choose your produce much like you would at a farmers market – but as a shareholder in a CSA. Or, if you’re inside the Beltway, opt for pickup in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of DC. You can also put together a neighborhood share delivery – see website for requirements. Full and half shares are available. The farm grows a wide assortment of produce, including unique heirloom tomatoes, greens, asparagus, and figs.
Weekly full and half shares are available and the program runs for 24 weeks. A full share is $697 for the season and a half-share is $389.50 – just $16 a week. You’ll receive 7 to 10 different types of produce with each share. The farm grows a wide assortment of garden goodies, including unique heirloom tomatoes, greens, asparagus, and figs.
West Oaks Farm Market (Winchester): This 10th generation farm has offered a CSA program for years and this one will be no exception. At this writing, details were being finalized on the program. Keep up with West Oaks’ CSA announcement via Facebook.
Other Places for Great REAL Food
Mackintosh Fruit Farm (Berryville): Located just off Route 7, this PYO (pick your own) farm and community store went online in 2020 for the growing season and will continue the service this spring. Just place your order and schedule your pickup at the farm. Mackintosh keeps folks well up-to-date with what’s available, so follow the farm on Facebook or sign up for the weekly email.
Burner’s Beef (Luray): Do you love a delicious steak? Or maybe you’re practicing your slow cooker comfort food skills. Enjoy hormone, steroid, and antibiotic-free beef from Jared Burner. Right now there’s plenty of availability. And you can select the time of year that best suits you for delivery of your whole, half, or quarter portion. Deliveries start at the end of April so get the freezer ready. Connect with Burner’s Beef on Facebook or send Jared an email for more details. Want mouthwatering beef but not so much of it? Burner’s is in the process of building an online store, so watch for their opening. And learn how to cook the perfect steak with Jared.
Audley Farm (Clarke County): One of the premier Black Angus producers on the East Coast is located at a beautiful, historic property near the Blue Ridge. This all-natural beef is offered at seasonal farmers markets, fine restaurants, and community stores. Audley also operates a farm stand on its property – you can keep you with days and times on Facebook. And Audley also offers the A-List Club, inspired after the farm’s business manager made a visit to California vineyards and learned about their wine clubs.
Deliteful Dairy (Williamsport, MD): Got milk? This family-owned Maryland farm sure does and in all sorts of tasty flavors. Visit the online store and place your order for pickup at the farm. In addition to milk, there’s a wide selection of cheeses and food artisan products, along with beef, pork, and eggs. Pair your milk with their homemade cookies. Keep up with what’s available (and savor the cookie pics!) on Facebook.
Bringing All the Real Food to Your Door
The Polished Foxx (Loudoun County/Winchester): Executive Chef Erik Foxx-Nettnin is taking the locally sourced food experience to a new level. With the connections he has cultivated in the “real food” movement, Erik is the man to see when it comes to the freshest ingredients. He provides custom catering for every situation, no matter how big or small. And it’s all farm-driven.
The Polished Foxx has beautiful meals for holidays, special occasions – or just every day delicious eating. You can have your meal cooked to perfection by Chef Erik (with thorough reheating instructions) or you can try your hand in the kitchen with his carefully selected ingredients and recipes. Call Chef at (540) 326-2395 or email him and start enjoying fresh from the farm seasonal cuisine.
Check out these great real food sources for delicious eating in 2021. Not only will you enjoy an elevated experience with fresh food, but you’ll also support family farms and local businesses.