Do you know about Outstanding in the Field? There is something about this organization that really stirs my soul.
A proponent of the local food movement, Jim Denevan and his crew travel the country setting up long, interconnected, white tables throughout farms, fields and vineyards where he serves a full-course meal at the source. He not only invites the community to participate, but also the farmers, artisans and vintners who provide the ingredients. It’s not a restaurant and it’s not a private party. It’s a movement. And I am moved.
I imagine dinner in Heaven might look just like this…
{photos: Outstanding in the Field}
The concept is delightful, and important. And I am very seriously considering a reservation, assuming I can actually get one! They go quickly. In the meantime, I bought a copy of Jim’s book and joined a farm co-op in my community.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) supports fresh, local and healthy food. There are a number of ways to get involved, including crop shares and co-ops. The co-op that Rachel and I joined, Fall Line Farms, offers year-round access to several participating farms and artisans in our community. We place orders online weekly from a list of available produce, meat, fish, dairy, poultry and baked goods. They have arranged for locally owned business throughout the city to host weekly pick-ups. Rachel and I pick up our groceries Thursday afternoons at a favorite wine and cheese shop in our neighborhood.
I enjoy cooking and eating well is important to me. The process of selecting my food straight from the fields actually reduces the stress of “what to make for dinner.” I simply have to figure out how to use what I have. I’m much more creative and I spend a whole lot less time wandering the aisles at the grocery store!
Here are some of the recipes I’ll be trying from Jim Denevan’s farm to table cookbook:
{photos: Outstanding in the Field}
Many more incredible photographs, stories and tour dates can be found on their website, www.outstandinginthefield.com, and their blog.
To learn more about farms, markets, CSA’s and co-ops in your community, visit www.localharvest.org or www.communitygarden.org.
Steph – The pic of the woman with plates of tomatoes is from the Chicago City Garden in Old Town (corner of Clybourn and Division) two blocks from my house! Too bad the reservations for that one are sold out!
this looks amazing!! I wish I could attend.
Hi Heather-
I thought that was the location! How interesting. I looked online and you can find restaurants in the city that use products from that garden. Pretty neat…let me know if you have a chance check any of them out!
- Stephanie
Heather, this link is such an inspiration. I live on a farm in Australia and absolutely love this concept. We have some wonderful food and wine festivals in the areas but nothing continuous like this. I am going to suggest this idea to a few of the key organizers of these events in our area and see what they think. Thank you so, so much for sharing. I have already put a link to the ‘Outstanding in the Field’ website on my blog.
Just wanted to let you know that I’ve actually just ordered a copy of his book as well! Can’t wait for it to arrive in the mail.
Amanda, I’m so glad! You’re going to love it. I would love to know if you get any of your festivals to follow this path. I think it is such a beautiful concept! Cheers, Juliet
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