Farm to Table Comes to Berks

The concept of farm-to-table is not new, and Berks County is no stranger to agricultural resources and farm preservation. However, when it comes to dining options, the restaurant scene has been a bit lackluster in healthy food choices. People have been hungry for farm-fresh alternatives. In 2017, Berks answered the call. A number of nutritious and lively eateries have arrived on the scene.

For some, farm-to-table may be a restorative return to wholesome living, and for others it is an introduction to a cleaner and more nourishing way of eating. Either way, the farm-to-table movement is proving to be a mainstay in these parts and is impacting the way people eat and think about their relationship to food.

What’s Old is New Again

Farm-to-table restaurants are taking Berks back to its roots. At the turn of the 20th century, most of the food we ate came from within 50 miles of where we lived. As the American demographic shifted from rural to urban, many local food sources disappeared. Emphasis was placed on convenience over quality. Meal preparation became synonymous with processed foods. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar, fat and sodium regularly in our canned and packaged goods led to health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

The farm-to-table movement wants to bring us back to a healthier way of life. Rather than feeding our mouths from plastic bottles and cardboard boxes, the idea is to nourish our bodies with wholesome, natural and sustainable bounty. Farm-to-table focuses on simply prepared food comprised of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

There are now five new farm-to-table options giving diners a choice when it comes to eating out and eating well.

Introducing Wild Sage Coffee & Kitchen

On a quiet, tree-lined street in downtown Reading, enter Wild Sage Coffee & Kitchen. An unassuming location for a bright, contemporary and open space that pays homage to Pennsylvania’s character and historical features, Wild Sage is part of an emerging,diverse and vibrant community oforganizations and civilians determined to bring about change in a new downtown Reading.

Wild Sage is also a destination when it comes to seeking out good food. Using the freshest local and organic ingredients is a top priority, followed by a passion for providing food and shared experiences, to its community. Here, healthy dining is a holistic approach to nourishing the mind and body. “Sometimes that means enjoying one of our seasonal salads for a refreshing lunch. Sometimes that means indulging in an espresso brownie and chestnut maple latte after a long week,” says Jessica Weixler, Creative Director.

Relish: Having Fun with Food

What opened as a gourmet hot dog joint known for its homemade relishes, Relish is a lively spot with an ever-expanding seasonal menu that combines locally sourced products, a neighborhood spirit and a zest for bringing fun into the dining experience. Whether it’s with a hand-rolled bagel, fresh-baked bread or a 100-percent grass-fed beef hot dog, Relish wants to bring the simple pleasures of eating back to the table. “Our goal is to put the enjoyment back into your dining experience and make it something worth relishing,” says owner Brit LaManna.

Relish is established on the premise that local purveyors, natural ingredients and passion are an investment back into the community…one that they feel has given them so much in return.

HIVE: Farm to Fork

HIVE’s story begins with the land. Everything at HIVE is organic and free from genetically modified organisms (GMO) and industrialized foods ridden with pesticides. Having a farm in Kutztown is a surefire way of guaranteeing the freshest and cleanest produce in their HIVE cafe and market in downtown Kutztown. If it’s not harvested by their own hands, they only source ingredients from other local, family-owned farms. This pure farm-to-fork approach trickles down to every bite of the HIVE burger, their number-one seller. Made in-house and served on a brioche roll from an NYC baker with Red Earth greens, organic cheddar, and a smoky chipotle sauce, it proves that farm-to-table isn’t just a plate of raw vegetables.

For HIVE owner Robyn Jasko, being connected to the land is just as important to one’s approach to health as it is to life. “My home, the farm, and HIVE are all less than a mile away. As someone who used to commute three hours a day in my former life as a magazine editor, I really appreciate the simplicity, community and beauty of Kutztown.”

The Green Bean Cafe: Allergy Alternatives

The Green Bean Cafe in Wyomissing is a labor of love born from personal need. When Robyn Harlow’s son was diagnosed with multiple food allergies before the age of 1, she struggled with feeding him on a daily basis. In her research, Robyn learned most allergies stem from non-organic, non-GMO ingredients in our food. Frustrated with the lack of dining options catering to families with allergies including gluten, Robyn desperately wanted healthy alternatives in Berks County. In response, The Green Bean Cafe opened in August 2017 with Robyn as General Manager.

Menu items such as “Zoodles,” noodles made from vegetables, and the “Tummy Toner,” crafted from hummus and sliced avocado, are homemade best sellers. Robyn works with customers in selecting items when it comes to weight loss, restrictions or food allergies. “We hope the Green Bean can offer the same amazing food the public is used to in a cleaner way,” says Robyn.

The Farmhouse Kitchen: A Farmhouse for All

The Farmhouse Kitchen is a labor of love intent on serving food that is delicious and healthy. Having opened six months ago in West Reading to much fanfare, its owners believe the public deserves an educated choice when it comes to food that is filled with antibiotics, sprayed with insecticides, or coated in sugar. They ascertain food is medicine and is meant to fuel and heal our bodies.

“The goal is to offer customers healthy food choices and to provide an evening educational program that promotes a dialogue on topics of health and wellness. Every day we hear from people all throughout the United States who come to eat at The Kitchen, ‘I wish we had one of these in our town,’” says owner Martie Samuel.

The Farmhouse Kitchen is focused on the future with a vision where people are informed and active participants in the decisions they make. Offering an educational component to bring neighbors together is very much at the core of what The Farmhouse wants to seed: a farm-to-table movement that emphasizes teamwork; smart, informed choices; and a passion for healthy-minded living.

Better Together

It is clear that the farm-to-table movement is not a passing trend. It is designed to change the culture of how we eat, even when it comes to dining out.

The consensus for community is strong among these five new restaurants. Knowing there’s a choice in where you open your mouths and wallets, the shared and imperative need for fostering a health-conscious society, supporting local farmers and family-owned businesses outweighs any competitive spirit. When more healthy food choices arise, more people will begin questioning their dietary habits and food sources. These restaurants are determined to be forerunners of a mainstay of farm-to-table offerings. In a landscape of fast food chains and quick fix meals, they are determined to uphold their common mission to activate a healthier lifestyle.

The Conversation Continues

Farm-to-table restaurants are at the forefront of finding solutions to obesity. At the very core of their philosophy is a need to help those in the community. It’s caring about the people around us. From the customer to the farmer, they encourage an open dialogue to share ideas on improving the system. Undoubtedly, there are challenges in the road ahead. However, Berks has begun this approach to healthy eating through education, civic duty and clean food. Each of these restaurants is transparent about its products and ingredients, encouraging everyone to talk about the food we consume. For this burgeoning farm-to-table movement, the conversation has come to the table.

Talking about food and putting intention and consideration into the food we make, eat and buy is critical to sustain a farm-to-table movement in Berks. Beyond menus of avocado toasts and quinoa patties, it’s the action we take in our own lives, such as questioning foragers, researching ingredients and understanding value. Take time to think before you eat. Visit a farm-to-table restaurant and initiate a healthy relationship with food.

The Farmhouse Kitchen

426 Penn Avenue, West Reading

484.869.5193

thefarmhouse-kitchen.com

Green Bean Cafe

840 N. Park Rd., Wyomissing

610.375.3241

thegreenbeancafewyomissing.com

HIVE

236 W. Sacony Alley, Kutztown

610.737.7836

hivelocalfood.com