From Farm to Foodservice

After a long, windy journey.... Our friend Chuck Abraham of Old Saw Mill Farm in Germantown stopped in for a visit last week. Chuck is a producer of all natural pork, chicken, lamb and fruit in Columbia County. He was picking up some of our fresh logs, which were featured in the "Dinner with Hudson Valley Growers" at Bard College for Compass Group's annual culinary summit.

Compass Group, a nationwide food distribution company, was holding their annual culinary summmit in our neck of the woods. Many of their meetings were held at the Culinary Institue of America (Hyde Park), while the real fun happened at local farms they visited. The group was suppose to visit Coach Farm, but with a late start and an unexpected road block it didn't happen. Instead the bus turned around and went back to Bard College for an amazing dinner prepared with all local ingredients. We started with an asparagus salad featuring our goat cheese, Mountain Fresh Farms tomatoes and chives. Speaking of tomatoes. If you are looking for safe (i.e. salmonella free) , local, hydroponic tomatoes try Mountain Fresh! They are by far one of the best tomatoes we have ever eaten!

For the main course a series of "Farmer's Stations" were set up. Everyone grabbed a bento style box and grabbed a few portions from each station. Dishes ranged from grilled foie gras to lobster medallion with pommes frites. Our favories were the cedar wrapped free range chicken and the pan seared medallion of tenderloin... Let's just say we made more than one trip to each station! Just when you thought you couldn't possibly eat anymore great food it was time for dessert. A strawberry rhubarb tart was sent out featuring Storys and Tousey Farms product. Make sure you try Ray Tousey's Cassis if you have the opportunity. He is at the Kingston and Rhinebeck Farmer's Markets.

In the end everyone was full, and eager to make a connection with Compass. We're all hoping they will consider us Hudson Valley farmers for their nutrion and wellness program!