Visitors are drawn from all over the map to experience the many wonders of the Olympic Peninsula. From the variety of ecosystems that cover the coastline to mountainous peaks and the rainforest, this area is rich with beautiful landscapes that draw nature lovers and adventurers. There is another regional attribute that has attracted so many to the fertile Chimacum Valley and the surrounding areas, the food and farming culture. Check out these year-round places to plan your farm-to-table foodie adventure around the whole Olympic Culinary Loop on the Olympic Peninsula.
A Day of Nourishment: A Foodie and Farm Lover’s Itinerary
White Lotus Farm & Inn
Book a weekend stay at White Lotus Farm & Inn. This family-owned operation includes 70 acres and provides sourdough bread made with locally-grown grains; pasture-raised chickens and eggs; fresh produce and microgreens; raw honey; 100% grass-fed lamb and wool; and cut flowers. They are committed to no-till farming methods for soil protection.
Along with multiple options for lodging, the family runs a small CSA and attends local farmers markets. This is a beautiful location for a couple’s getaway or larger private events, as they have a barn hall and dance floor.
The Fireside Restaurant
For breakfast, head over to The Fireside Restaurant at Port Ludlow Resort. Experience true farm-to-table fare as chef Dan Ratigan, who has been with The Fireside Restaurant for 15 years, has personally visited every farm he works with. “We have a close connection to agriculture here, and the relationships with our farmers are important to us,” he shares. “From the Chimacum Valley Grainery buckwheat pancakes made with locally-grown and milled grains to the salad blends, goat cheese and pork, we make sure to source locally and support the farmers who steward this land.”
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu changes with the season and is determined by what local offerings are available. The restaurant works with 12 different farms that are beautifully represented on a map displayed in the restaurant.
HJ Carroll Park and SpringRain Farm & Orchard
After breakfast, head out for a walk at HJ Carroll Park. Learn about Pacific Northwest native plants or walk the Rick Tollefson Memorial Trail, which offers interpretive signs winding along the edges of SpringRain Farm & Orchard.
Roxanne Hudson and her husband, John Bellow, have created a robust organic food production farm with ethically-raised meat and eggs as well as fruits, berries, perennial vegetables and greenhouse crops. With 26 acres of agricultural land to manage, Bellow uses integrated systems thinking to sustainably mimic the natural ecosystem. Stop by the SpringRain Farm & Orchard farm stand, open seven days a week, to pick up fresh produce or one of Hudson’s many food delights. “We produce farmstead jams and syrups, heirloom tomato sauce, applesauce, frozen blueberries and various pesto,” she explains.
Chimacum Corner Farmer Stand
As a rural natural grocer and hub of the farming community and culture, Chimacum Corner Farmstand is one of the central supporters of the hyper-local agricultural and artisan scene. Stop by to pick up a picnic lunch or gather local and organic foods for a home-cooked meal. There are many beautiful hand-made gift items that are perfect for bringing home as a special keepsake from your Olympic Peninsula travels.
Finnriver Farm & Cidery
Make your visit to the Olympic Peninsula an unforgettable experience with a visit to Finnriver Farm & Cidery. The aesthetic upon arrival will bring visitors into the good feels of farm life with the elegance of beautifully designed intentional spaces. Try a flight of farm-crafted cider and sip in the experience that includes a view overlooking the organic orchard.
Book a Tour and Tasting or schedule time during the weekend to enjoy live music in their outdoor heated pavilion, which was voted “Best Live Music Venue on the Peninsula.”Along with hosting local food vendors onsite, folks are welcome to bring a picnic lunch from the Chimacum Corner Farmstand located right next door or try a delicious offering from the Finnriver farm kitchen. As a certified B-Corp organization, Finnriver embraces its mission, “To celebrate the beauty and bounty of the earth, to reconnect people to the land that sustains us and to grow community.”
There is something special growing in the Olympic Peninsula’s Chimacum Valley and surrounding areas. Great stewards who treat the health of the soil with the same care as the health of their communities are creating sustainable networks that connect people to the land and their food. Food is love, and this sentiment is being felt throughout local networks, from the farmers to the natural grocers. This, of course, extends into the hospitality sector that brings visitors to the area for farm tours, cider tasting and fine locally sourced dining. Let your inner foodie out with a farm-to-table getaway you will never forget.
To learn more about planning your next foodie vacation in the Olympic Peninsula, visit the Enjoy Olympic Peninsula website.
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