Local Sourcing at UVA Dine
Mapping the University of Virginia's efforts to source food locally at their dining locations
As an international student from Singapore, a country known globally as “the street-food capital of the world,” I’ve always been passionate about food. But it wasn’t until I joined the Environmental Justice Collective at UVA that I began to think more about where my food came from. On foraging excursions and community work days, I experienced the powerful gratification of preparing food that I myself had found. I brought this feeling back with me to Grounds, where I wondered whether UVA’s dining locations offered menu items made from locally-sourced ingredients.
The purpose of this educational resource is to inspire this curiosity in UVA students by making UVA’s efforts to source food from local farms–and local BIPOC farms especially–more transparent to students. It will provide information about UVA Dine’s past and current efforts to source local, Virginia-grown and produced items in their dining locations in order to make these efforts more visible to students.
UVA Dine's History
In 2008, UVA Dine established a Green Dining program and sustainable food purchasing guidelines, while a full-time sustainability position was established in 2010. A few years later, in October of 2018, the UVA Sustainable Food Collaborative created a Sustainable Food Action Plan V1.0 that outlines five goals with details about the numerous actions and specific strategies required to achieve these goals. UVA Dine, 4P Foods, and Local Food Hub are all members of the Sustainable Food Collaborative and helped write the latest draft of the Action Plan released in 2021 . This resource focuses on the first of those goals: To Annually Increase the Percentage of Sustainable Food and Beverage Options Available on Grounds.
UVA Dine's Partners
Local at UVA Dine
UVA Dine defines local as food that is grown, raised, or caught within 250 miles from Grounds or sourced from independently-owned businesses within 250 miles from grounds. In order to meet their sustainability goals, UVA Dine uses the National Farm to Institution metrics to track the impact of their farm to institution purchasing practices on local farmers and local independently-owned businesses.
Importance of Eating Seasonally
We can also engage in purchasing local food when we go to the grocery store by eating seasonally using a Seasonal Food Guide , since not only is seasonal food fresher, tastier, and more nutritious than food consumed out of season, but they can also be purchased directly from a local grower shortly after harvest.
How does food get to UVA's dining locations?
Commodity Supply Chain vs Local Supply Chain
When UVA Dine purchases from a local food hub, like 4P Foods, local produce is delivered from farmers directly to 4P’s warehouses. The produce is then brought directly to UVA’s dining locations. In this way, local supply chains have less steps from farm to fork, which thus allows them to be more transparent.
It is important to note that, because of widespread consumer demand for local and sustainable products, largescale commodity supply chains are shifting their focus more towards local farms and businesses. For example, Freshpoint is a large produce distributor owned by Sysco corporation that has a large focus on sourcing locally and transparently. When large distributors can purchase more locally, small farmers have access to a larger customer base and can more efficiently have their products distributed. In turn, the benefits to the large distributor are that they have access to unique and fresh products that satisfy their customers.
Food Hubs
All of this is only possible through the establishment of food hubs which help small farms grow by offering a combination of production, distribution, and marketing services. They essentially help connect farmers to institutional buyers like UVA Dine. Without food hubs, it would be logistically challenging and inefficient to participate in local sourcing programs, since this would need to be done separately with each farmer.
But despite this movement towards local sourcing at universities through food hubs, there are still several challenges to increasing local foods in the university food system. These include pricing differences between local and commodity foods, as well as GAP Food Safety Certification, which is a requirement to sell to universities.
Price Differences
Mass-marketed, highly-processed commodity food is typically less expensive than local food because federal farmer subsidies typically go to the largest farms. This practice began in the Great Depression, since farm subsidies managed supply by paying farmers to reduce production during overproduction to help increase future prices (Carter).
Below is a table that shows the difference in prices between commodity and local products, pulled from some of the local produce that UVA Dine purchased during the Fall 2022 semester:
Price Differences in Commodity vs Local Products
Generally, local prices tend to be higher than commodity prices for a given product. But prices depend heavily on seasonality and availability. For instance, butternut squash is 21.43% cheaper locally right now in the fall since it is in abundance.
GAP Food Safety Certification
UVA Dine, as well as many other Universities, requires sourcing from GAP-certified farms. In an effort to verify that fruits and vegetables are safely produced, packed, handled, and stored, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits, which are voluntary. Farmers can request these audits and become GAP-certified, which improves their opportunities to access the wholesale market.
4P works with the Local Food Hub to provide technical and food safety assistance for independent farms, encouraging them to get GAP-certified. For example, Local Food Hub has created templates for the recordkeeping requirements of GAP certification–such as harvest and employee training logs.
Since getting GAP-certified involves paying a GAP auditor to visit the farm, the process can be costly. GAP certification also requires built structures like covered waste impact areas–stations for washing and packing produce–which can be expensive to build. These factors generally make it difficult for local farmers to gain GAP certification and transition to selling wholesale, but local Black farmers are especially discouraged because of a history of distrust with the US government.
The Pigford v. Glickman case in 1997, filed on behalf of groups of African-American farmers, asserted that the USDA had “systematically discriminated against African-American farmers on the basis of race” ( In Re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation Settlement ). This case, in conjunction with the Brewington v. Glickman case in 1998–another lawsuit filed on the behalf of African-American farmers–, became one of the largest civil rights settlements in history.
But the settlement did not address the unfair treatment against Black farmers by their local USDA county committees, such as waiting longer for farm loans or assistance than white farmers, or being denied those loans altogether. As a result, between 1920 and 1999, 98.1% percent of Black farmers left their profession. Efforts to integrate local Black farmers into the wholesale market should reference this history.
Sourcing from Local Farmers
The green pins represent the local farms that UVA has sourced from or is currently sourcing from, while the red pins represent the local BIPOC farms within this group.
Click on a pin for the name of the local farm at that location.
[Updated as of Fall 2022]
Timeline of UVA Dine's Efforts
Navigate through this timeline to see the local farms that UVA Dine has sourced from since the Fall of 2021.
[All of the local farms in this timeline were sourced from for a certain period of time within each semester listed. The exact duration of their partnership with UVA Dine is not displayed.]
UVA Dine Events/Programs and Ways for Students to get involved
4P Auto-Ship Program
UVA Dine purchases local, in-season produce from 4P Foods, a food hub that sources from small-scale independent VA farms and the region, on a regular basis to be served in O’Hill, Fresh Food Co (Newcomb), and Runk. Two times a week, they receive “auto shipments” of produce that they pre-committed to purchasing ahead of the semester from local farms in Virginia. With these “auto shipments,” 4P Foods prioritizes produce grown by Black and Brown farmers by matching their available produce with what UVA Dine is looking to purchase. This is a purchasing model that is currently still in development and that they hope to grow into a more sustainable way to support small-scale Virginia farmers long-term. Students can identify local produce items by looking at the chalkboards in UVA’s residential dining locations.
Local Taste Cart
Every week in Newcomb Dining Hall (Fresh Food Co.), students present an elevated menu with locally sourced ingredients. Previous menus included chilled gazpacho soup, made with tomatoes and jalapeños grown at Morven Kitchen Garden.
Cville Markets
Cville Markets are Farmers Markets hosted in the Amphitheater where students can purchase foods from local vendors and farmers, such as Morven Kitchen Garden, Homestead Creamery, Little Manila, Good Phyte Foods, and many 4P Foods partner farms using their flex dollars–which are a part of their meal plan.
Farmer’s Market in a Bag
In 2020 and 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, UVA Dine partnered with 4P Foods to create the Farmer’s Market in a Bag program because they couldn’t host in-person Farmers Markets. The program allowed students to pick up locally-sourced produce and locally-made snacks that they could order using their meal plan.
Farm to Fork Dinners
UVA Dine’s Farm to Fork Dinners feature locally-sourced ingredients throughout the entire menu. Students can find signage indicating which farms specific ingredients were sourced from and can also learn more about each farm through farmer profiles. These events are hosted at O’Hill dining hall and Fresh Food Co.
Farm Table Dinners
Every ingredient tells a story. Farm Table Dinners provide space to tell those stories around a common table. Hosted two to three times per semester by Harvest Table at Runk, Farm Table Dinner events feature multi-course menus served to 12-24 guests with an emphasis on sourcing from local growers and makers.
Map of Local Sourcing at UVA Dine
Wade's Mill
Wade's Mill . Click to expand.
Founded in Shenandoah's Valley in 1911, Wade's Mill is Virginia's oldest continuously operating commercial grist mill.
Scratch Pasta Co.
Scratch Pasta Co.. Click to expand.
Scratch Pasta was begun by Chef Stephanie Fees in Lynchburg, VA. After years working as a professional chef in New York City and the Greenbrier in West Virginia, she settled back in her hometown to run the kitchen at West Manor Estate, a local wedding venue.
Goldman Farm
Goldman Farm. Click to expand.
Goldman Farm is a sixth-generation family farm in Charlotte County, VA. Brick Goldman, the owner and farm manager, is known as a community leader, especially among fellow farmers. Brick began working with Local Food Hub in 2013.
Mountain View Farm LLC
Mountain View Farm LLC . Click to expand.
Mountain View Farm Products, LLC, comprises 20 acres in Fairfield, VA. It is family-owned and operated by Fred and Christie Huger, who live on the farm with their children Anderson, Everette, and Isabelle.
Caromont Farm
Caromont Farm. Click to expand.
Caromont Farm makes award-winning cheeses with milk from the goats raised in their farm in the wine country just south of Charlottesville, VA. Gail Hobbs-Page, chef, farmer, and cheesemaker, established Caromont in 2007 after 15 years of farming.
S. Wallace Edwards & Sons, Inc.
S. Wallace Edwards & Sons, Inc. . Click to expand.
Since 1926, Edwards Virginia Smokehouse has been a family business that produces and purveys dry-cured, hickory smoked hams, bacon and sausage.
Schuyler Greens Company
Schuyler Greens Company. Click to expand.
Using organic, non-GMO seeds, Schuyler Greens Company grows high-quality greens year-round in greenhouses.
Hungry Hill Farm
Hungry Hill Farm. Click to expand.
Hungry Hill Farm is a three-generation, family-owned honey bee farm founded in 1964. Their mission is to share their knowledge and produce the best local raw honey.
Wise Farmer's Market
Wise Farmer's Market. Click to expand.
The Town of Wise Farmer's Market is held every Thursday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
Birdie's Pimiento Cheese
Birdie's Pimiento Cheese. Click to expand.
Birdie's approach to this Southern classic makes their flavors bright and bold. From the Classic (which includes a splash of vinegar to round out the flavors) to fan-favorite Garlic-Parmesan, there's a Birdie's flavor for every palate and occasion.
Papa Weaver's Pork
Papa Weaver's Pork. Click to expand.
Papa Weaver's Pork is a family-owned and operated business in Madison County, VA, owned by Tina and Tom Weaver. The farm (formerly owned by President James Madison) has been in their family for seven generations, throughout which time pigs have always been a staple.
Ula Tortilla
Ula Tortilla. Click to expand.
Stephanie Murray and James Price started Ula Tortilla on a whim. They decided to experiment with growing dent corn to produce tortillas and cornmeal. This experiment turned out to be a great success! Today, they are very happy to share their product with customers in the entire Mid Atlantic region and a little beyond.
Archlynn Farm
Archlynn Farm. Click to expand.
Archlynn Farm is a family owned and operated farm in Charlotte County, VA. The family has been growing a variety of produce since 2010. Currently, two generations work to provide healthy food for local markets.
Witmer Farm
Witmer Farm. Click to expand.
Brian Witmer grew up on a commercial vegetable farm in Ohio. The youngest of 10 children, his summers were spent harvesting acres and acres of corn and green beans. While most of his siblings have moved on to careers outside of farming, his father and brother continue to manage the family farm and have encouraged Brian's solo venture in Virginia.
Greenswell Growers
Greenswell Growers. Click to expand.
Greenswell Growers is an innovative, large-scale indoor facility providing delicious, safe, and healthy greens that give back to the community.
Riverside Produce Farm
Riverside Produce Farm. Click to expand.
Riverside Produce Farm is located in King William County, VA. They provide fresh produce to local markets in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. They are focused on providing a superior locally-grown product in an environmentally conscious manner that preserves the soil, water, and land for future generations.
Singing Earth Produce
Singing Earth Produce. Click to expand.
Beginning with spinach and spring onions, and ending with thousands of pounds of winter squash, potatoes, and stotrage onions, the growing year at Singing Earth Produce includes every type of vegetable in top quality and bountiful quantity. José and Adolfo Calixto are a father-son team that has been living and farming 20 acres outside of Waynesboro for the past 12 years.
Homestead Creamery
Homestead Creamery . Click to expand.
Homestead Creamery is a small, locally-owned dairy processing plant nestled among the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Burnt Chimney, VA.
Planet Earth Diversified
Planet Earth Diversified. Click to expand.
Planet Earth Diversified has over 15 acres and 6 greenhouses growing everything from arugula to hemp to zucchini. They are registered VAP hemp growers and processors, producing high-quality CBD and hemp extracts and ginger ale.
Walnut Winds Farm
Walnut Winds Farm. Click to expand.
After retiring from a career in the military, Delmer Livengood Sr. began Walnut Winds Farm in Pittsylvania County, VA.
Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative (VPGC)
Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative (VPGC). Click to expand.
VPGC was incorporated the summer of 2004. However, the farmers that make up the cooperative have been growing turkeys for decades. From the farm to the finished product, VPGC is committed to producing an exception al product.
Church Hill Produce
Church Hill Produce. Click to expand.
Michael and Kari Sponaugle have grown fresh produce in the mountains of Highland County, VA, since 2011. IN 2016, they transitioned to wholesale and bulk vegetation distribution, and are now a Harmonized GAP farm.
Willie Mae Farms
Willie Mae Farms. Click to expand.
Mike Combs grew up in York County, VA and picked up farming from his grandfather, who always had a huge garden. He started farming officially in 2010 when he started Willie Mae Farms, named after his late grandmother.
Kirby Farms
Kirby Farms. Click to expand.
A fourth-generation farmer, Kevin Kirby's love of the land is so deeply ingrained that it was likely inherited. He grew up on the 108-year-old farm in Hanover County, VA, where he learned the family trade from his father, also a Mechanicsville native. Today, Kevin is committed to managing the 350-acre farm and to passing the lessons of the land to his 11-year-old son.
Superfood Farms
Superfood Farms. Click to expand.
Superfood Farms is an 80-acre specialty produce farm in Culpeper, VA that is owned and operated by the Ayad Family. When the Ayads emigrated to the US from Egypt nearly 20 years ago, establishing a family farm was a goal that came to fruition in 2011.
Tidewater Grain Co.
Tidewater Grain Co. . Click to expand.
Tidewater Grain Co. is a sustainable, family and farmer-owned specialty grain producer based in Oriental, NC. Their focus is heirloom grains.
Falling Bark Farm
Falling Bark Farm. Click to expand.
Falling Bark Farm is Travis and Joyce Miller's retirement project. It started out as 48 bottles of their Original Hickory Syrup at the local farmer's market and has grown into an opportunity to share the fruits of their passion for wildcrafting from the nature of Virginia with the rest of the world. From delicious syrup derived from the bark of local hickory trees to locally -sourced raw honey, they are providing the best of what Mother Nature has to offer.
Saunders Brothers Farm Market
Saunders Brothers Farm Market. Click to expand.
Saunders Brothers Farm Market is a farm stand and nursery in Piney River, VA. The farm began in 1915 when 5 brothers decided to pool their resources and form a partnership.
Silver Creek & Seamans' Orchards, Inc.
Silver Creek & Seamans' Orchards, Inc.. Click to expand.
Silver Creek Packing Shed was founded in 1959. Today, John and Ruth Saunders, and Anne Kidd run the operations at Silver Creek & Seamans' Orchards, Inc., which is now a retail store for two apple orchards in Nelson county, VA.
Blue Ridge Bucha
Blue Ridge Bucha. Click to expand.
Made in Virginia, Blue Ridge Bucha has been handcrafting delicious kombucha in the Blue Ridge Mountains since 2010.
Shenandoah Valley Organics (Farmer Focus)
Shenandoah Valley Organics (Farmer Focus). Click to expand.
Shenandoah Valley Organics (Farmer Focus) is a partner-owned collective of over 60 family farms raising chickens and turkeys. Founded in 2014 and headed by 6th generation farmer Corwin Heatwole, Farmer Focus is built on shared values including the humane handling of their animals and empowering farmers for future generations.
Twin Oaks Tofu
Twin Oaks Tofu. Click to expand.
Twin Oaks Tofu is on a mission to help the planet by providing people with healthy, protein-rich food that is a delicious alternative to meat.
Sugar Tree Country Store
Sugar Tree Country Store. Click to expand.
Sugar Tree Country Store and Sugar House is a small retail and wholesale store in McDowell, VA. Owned and operated by Glenn and Fern Heatwole and family, the store stocks a variety of purple maple products, jellies, honey, candles, hand crafted toys, basket, pottery, and many other products.
Deep Roots Milling
Deep Roots Milling . Click to expand.
Deep Roots Milling operates out of historic Woodson's Mill in Nelson County, VA. Woodson's Mill was originally built in the 1790s and has been in continual operation throughout the majority of its history. It is one of the last country mills and is powered by the renewable energy derived from water-power.
NoBull Burger
NoBull Burger. Click to expand.
NoBull Burger originated many years ago, when Crissanne Raymond created what is now the Original NoBull Burger recipe to feed her family a healthier version of a burger.
Baywater Farms
Baywater Farms. Click to expand.
Baywater Farms is a family-owned and operated farming service in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Delaware Beaches and the Eastern Shore.
Virginia Vinegar Works
Virginia Vinegar Works. Click to expand.
Since 2008, Virginia Vinegar Works has been producing artisanal, handcrafted, traditional vinegars. Their seasonal fruit vinegars are produced using fresh, local fruits from nearby farms.
Wade's Mill
Founded in Shenandoah's Valley in 1911, Wade's Mill is Virginia's oldest continuously operating commercial grist mill.
Scratch Pasta Co.
Scratch Pasta was begun by Chef Stephanie Fees in Lynchburg, VA. After years working as a professional chef in New York City and the Greenbrier in West Virginia, she settled back in her hometown to run the kitchen at West Manor Estate, a local wedding venue.
While at West Manor, she had the opportunity to attend 'pasta school' in Chiavari, Italy, where she was inspired to start a pasta shop in Lynchburg.
Goldman Farm
Goldman Farm is a sixth-generation family farm in Charlotte County, VA. Brick Goldman, the owner and farm manager, is known as a community leader, especially among fellow farmers. Brick began working with Local Food Hub in 2013.
Mountain View Farm LLC
Mountain View Farm Products, LLC, comprises 20 acres in Fairfield, VA. It is family-owned and operated by Fred and Christie Huger, who live on the farm with their children Anderson, Everette, and Isabelle.
As a farmstead operation, the business is conducted mainly for the production of fresh, Grade A dairy products including raw milk, artisan farmstead cheese s and pasteurized items. Everything is made without hormones or antibiotics.
Caromont Farm
Caromont Farm makes award-winning cheeses with milk from the goats raised in their farm in the wine country just south of Charlottesville, VA. Gail Hobbs-Page, chef, farmer, and cheesemaker, established Caromont in 2007 after 15 years of farming.
S. Wallace Edwards & Sons, Inc.
Since 1926, Edwards Virginia Smokehouse has been a family business that produces and purveys dry-cured, hickory smoked hams, bacon and sausage.
Schuyler Greens Company
Using organic, non-GMO seeds, Schuyler Greens Company grows high-quality greens year-round in greenhouses.
Hungry Hill Farm
Hungry Hill Farm is a three-generation, family-owned honey bee farm founded in 1964. Their mission is to share their knowledge and produce the best local raw honey.
Wise Farmer's Market
The Town of Wise Farmer's Market is held every Thursday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
Birdie's Pimiento Cheese
Birdie's approach to this Southern classic makes their flavors bright and bold. From the Classic (which includes a splash of vinegar to round out the flavors) to fan-favorite Garlic-Parmesan, there's a Birdie's flavor for every palate and occasion.
Papa Weaver's Pork
Papa Weaver's Pork is a family-owned and operated business in Madison County, VA, owned by Tina and Tom Weaver. The farm (formerly owned by President James Madison) has been in their family for seven generations, throughout which time pigs have always been a staple.
Papa Weaver's Pork is a Local Food Hub partner farm.
Ula Tortilla
Stephanie Murray and James Price started Ula Tortilla on a whim. They decided to experiment with growing dent corn to produce tortillas and cornmeal. This experiment turned out to be a great success! Today, they are very happy to share their product with customers in the entire Mid Atlantic region and a little beyond.
Archlynn Farm
Archlynn Farm is a family owned and operated farm in Charlotte County, VA. The family has been growing a variety of produce since 2010. Currently, two generations work to provide healthy food for local markets.
Witmer Farm
Brian Witmer grew up on a commercial vegetable farm in Ohio. The youngest of 10 children, his summers were spent harvesting acres and acres of corn and green beans. While most of his siblings have moved on to careers outside of farming, his father and brother continue to manage the family farm and have encouraged Brian's solo venture in Virginia.
Witmer Farm is a Local Food Hub partner farm.
Greenswell Growers
Greenswell Growers is an innovative, large-scale indoor facility providing delicious, safe, and healthy greens that give back to the community.
Riverside Produce Farm
Riverside Produce Farm is located in King William County, VA. They provide fresh produce to local markets in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. They are focused on providing a superior locally-grown product in an environmentally conscious manner that preserves the soil, water, and land for future generations.
Singing Earth Produce
Beginning with spinach and spring onions, and ending with thousands of pounds of winter squash, potatoes, and stotrage onions, the growing year at Singing Earth Produce includes every type of vegetable in top quality and bountiful quantity. José and Adolfo Calixto are a father-son team that has been living and farming 20 acres outside of Waynesboro for the past 12 years.
Homestead Creamery
Homestead Creamery is a small, locally-owned dairy processing plant nestled among the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Burnt Chimney, VA.
Planet Earth Diversified
Planet Earth Diversified has over 15 acres and 6 greenhouses growing everything from arugula to hemp to zucchini. They are registered VAP hemp growers and processors, producing high-quality CBD and hemp extracts and ginger ale.
Walnut Winds Farm
After retiring from a career in the military, Delmer Livengood Sr. began Walnut Winds Farm in Pittsylvania County, VA.
Walnut Winds Farm is a Harmonized GAP farm and a Local Food Hub partner farm. In 2014, they were recognized as LFH's Partner Producer of the Year for excelling at consistently and reliably delivering local produce.
Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative (VPGC)
VPGC was incorporated the summer of 2004. However, the farmers that make up the cooperative have been growing turkeys for decades. From the farm to the finished product, VPGC is committed to producing an exception al product.
VPGC is a Local Food Hub partner farm.
Church Hill Produce
Michael and Kari Sponaugle have grown fresh produce in the mountains of Highland County, VA, since 2011. IN 2016, they transitioned to wholesale and bulk vegetation distribution, and are now a Harmonized GAP farm.
Willie Mae Farms
Mike Combs grew up in York County, VA and picked up farming from his grandfather, who always had a huge garden. He started farming officially in 2010 when he started Willie Mae Farms, named after his late grandmother.
Kirby Farms
A fourth-generation farmer, Kevin Kirby's love of the land is so deeply ingrained that it was likely inherited. He grew up on the 108-year-old farm in Hanover County, VA, where he learned the family trade from his father, also a Mechanicsville native. Today, Kevin is committed to managing the 350-acre farm and to passing the lessons of the land to his 11-year-old son.
Kirby Farms is a part of Local Food Hub's Grower Services.
Superfood Farms
Superfood Farms is an 80-acre specialty produce farm in Culpeper, VA that is owned and operated by the Ayad Family. When the Ayads emigrated to the US from Egypt nearly 20 years ago, establishing a family farm was a goal that came to fruition in 2011.
Tidewater Grain Co.
Tidewater Grain Co. is a sustainable, family and farmer-owned specialty grain producer based in Oriental, NC. Their focus is heirloom grains.
Falling Bark Farm
Falling Bark Farm is Travis and Joyce Miller's retirement project. It started out as 48 bottles of their Original Hickory Syrup at the local farmer's market and has grown into an opportunity to share the fruits of their passion for wildcrafting from the nature of Virginia with the rest of the world. From delicious syrup derived from the bark of local hickory trees to locally -sourced raw honey, they are providing the best of what Mother Nature has to offer.
Saunders Brothers Farm Market
Saunders Brothers Farm Market is a farm stand and nursery in Piney River, VA. The farm began in 1915 when 5 brothers decided to pool their resources and form a partnership.
Silver Creek & Seamans' Orchards, Inc.
Silver Creek Packing Shed was founded in 1959. Today, John and Ruth Saunders, and Anne Kidd run the operations at Silver Creek & Seamans' Orchards, Inc., which is now a retail store for two apple orchards in Nelson county, VA.
Blue Ridge Bucha
Made in Virginia, Blue Ridge Bucha has been handcrafting delicious kombucha in the Blue Ridge Mountains since 2010.
Shenandoah Valley Organics (Farmer Focus)
Shenandoah Valley Organics (Farmer Focus) is a partner-owned collective of over 60 family farms raising chickens and turkeys. Founded in 2014 and headed by 6th generation farmer Corwin Heatwole, Farmer Focus is built on shared values including the humane handling of their animals and empowering farmers for future generations.
Twin Oaks Tofu
Twin Oaks Tofu is on a mission to help the planet by providing people with healthy, protein-rich food that is a delicious alternative to meat.
Sugar Tree Country Store
Sugar Tree Country Store and Sugar House is a small retail and wholesale store in McDowell, VA. Owned and operated by Glenn and Fern Heatwole and family, the store stocks a variety of purple maple products, jellies, honey, candles, hand crafted toys, basket, pottery, and many other products.
Deep Roots Milling
Deep Roots Milling operates out of historic Woodson's Mill in Nelson County, VA. Woodson's Mill was originally built in the 1790s and has been in continual operation throughout the majority of its history. It is one of the last country mills and is powered by the renewable energy derived from water-power.
NoBull Burger
NoBull Burger originated many years ago, when Crissanne Raymond created what is now the Original NoBull Burger recipe to feed her family a healthier version of a burger.
Crissanne set up shop in 2011 in Charlottesville, VA with the help of her daughters Heather and Elizabeth.
Baywater Farms
Baywater Farms is a family-owned and operated farming service in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Delaware Beaches and the Eastern Shore.
Virginia Vinegar Works
Since 2008, Virginia Vinegar Works has been producing artisanal, handcrafted, traditional vinegars. Their seasonal fruit vinegars are produced using fresh, local fruits from nearby farms.
[Biographies courtesy of 4P Foods]
