Farm to Table

Living in Northern California has given me the unique opportunity to experience a whole new type of cuisine that previously I had not been familiar with. This “farm to table” style of eating is the shining star at Sonoma County restaurants and highlights local, organic food that quite literally comes straight from the farm to…the table.

As farmers make the switch to sustainable farming practices, they run the risk of high costs, lack of marketing and limited awareness. However, more and more chefs and food merchants are catching on, realizing that sustainably grown local food not only is the freshest product possible, but also just tastes better. When we enjoy food raised, harvested, or produced sustainably we are boosting our economy, protecting our farmland, enhancing our local food systems, and keeping ourselves — and our environment — healthy.

What kind of food makes up the farm to table way of life? Think seasonal organic produce, local meats, olive oil, locally harvested wine and bread baked less than 30 miles away. Simplistic and real food. Actually, this whole new way of living reminds me a lot of my time spent in Paris. Europeans and Californians seem to have it right and enjoy the best possible quality food, bypassing anything fast and processed, favoring instead a simple radish swiped through local butter and sprinkled with sea salt.