Meet Your Farmer Takes Restaurant-Goers from the Table to the Farm

The farm-to-table thing is a big deal for the restaurants here at West Street Market, which is why we’re so excited for the launch part of the newly updated Meet Your Farmer Project. This ingenious little project introduces people to local farmers – the ones growing and harvesting the very produce you’re about to enjoy – right at your table. Here’s how it works, and why you can’t miss this launch!

From the Table to the Farm

Next time you’re sitting down to eat at Thali, The Deluxe, the Pizza Collective or Icecycle Creamery, keep an eye out for the Meet Your Farmer signs and hashtags. Those will take you right to the 1:15 videos that introduce the farmer or farm, highlight the produce or ingredient used, and give you an instant understanding of where this is all happening in our community. It’s that sense of recognition – hey, that’s the food you’re about to eat! – that creates an immediate connection. And that’s such a cool thing.

The app launched in 2015 at the Great Basin Community Food Co-Op as the brainchild of Steve and Jolene Cook. A grant from the Nevada Department of Agriculture enabled 25 local farmers and ranchers to work with a local photographer and videographer to kickstart the project, which got its start on little signs in the co-op. Fast forward to an insightful little market research study, and here we are, with Meet Your Farmer taking a more social approach and launching in ten area restaurants. Spoiler – four of them are right here at West Street Market.

And Now – The Launch Party!

Join us Thursday, September 13 from 4 pm until sunset to meet some of our amazing local farmers, ranchers and beekeepers (Al Bees!), and learn all about the Meet Your Farmer Project while you sample delicious, local, organic food grown and harvested right here in the Truckee Meadows. A local flower farmer will be on hand with pre-made and make-your-own bouquet arrangements. Come, eat, create, meet, mingle, and become part of this blossoming local food movement!