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
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 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.
To learn more about planning your next foodie vacation in the Olympic Peninsula, visit the Enjoy Olympic Peninsula website.
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