Farm to Your Table

With an abundance of local farms and farmers’ markets in the Raleigh area, the farm-to-table movement is thriving more than ever. In 1975, Irregardless Café and Catering was one of the first restaurants to adopt the philosophy of offering local, sustainable food. Today, ingredients at Irregardless are sourced from their “Well Fed Community Garden.” The garden uses organic practices to grow vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers in addition to providing a home to eight chickens and two beehives. Hands-on workshops are also offered to educate diners outside of the restaurant about growing their own food.

Thanks to restaurants like Irregardless, the farm-to-table movement grew, and quickly, to include many chef-driven restaurants in the City of Oaks. Chef-owner Ashley Christensen was influential in supporting local producers at her first concept, Poole’s Diner in downtown Raleigh. With an ever-changing chalkboard menu featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as local meat products, diners are always interested to see what delicious dish will be offered next.
 


Award-winning Irregardless Cafe has been nourishing the community with delicious meals, attentive service and live music from... View More

Menus at Poole's are inspired by the season and its many offerings. As the season changes, at some points on a daily basis, so do... View More



Today, many restaurants strive to use locally-grown products on their menu and some even have their own gardens or farms.

Crafted with ingredients from chef Sean Fowler’s farm, Mandolin is a charming restaurant taking American food to a new level featuring locally-grown ingredients. Farm Table in Wake Forest is another neighborhood-friendly, farm-to-table concept thriving on the support of local farmers and partners. Farm Table uses their own herb garden in a craft approach to seasonal cooking and has a menu that evolves to utilize only the freshest N.C. ingredients.