The Grow List

Over the summer, Local Food Hub and 4P Foods finalized a merger of their distribution operations. Local Food Hub is a nonprofit organization that was founded to partner with Virginia farmers to increase community access to local food. 4P Foods is a direct to consumer food hub that connects consumers in the DC metro area with good food from small family farms. This merger marries Local Food Hub’s strengths in farmer relationships and product knowledge with 4P’s strengths in logistics, market development, and sales.

Holy heck, it’s November! If you’re stressing about buying Christmas presents, let these awesome Virginia events lift your spirits. The big thing this month is APPLE CIDER! There’s a bunch of cider festivals, and National Apple Cider Day is November 18. Cider not your thing? Well, November is shaping up to be an epic month for all kinds of foodies with events ranging from a Farm to Table 5k to Punkin’ Chunkin’ to all things Colonial Virginia. Also- duh, Thanksgiving is this month! Better get those stretchy pants ready.

Here’s some great news for Charlottesville cookie lovers: Arley Cakes now offers seasonal, handcrafted cookies delivered to your door every month with her Cookie Club! Get more details on flavors, sizes, and availability here.

Whether or not you have a traditional Valentine, are rolling solo, planning a love-filled wedding, or just want to shower love on those around you, here are some of the most delectable treats in and around Virginia to get those hearts pumping.

Ahh, Winchester. This small town in the top corner of our fair state holds a special place in our hearts. Winchester is most known for apple orchards and Patsy Cline, but it’s got some really great places to eat as well. Here’s our rundown of Winchester’s best restaurants, breweries, markets and food trucks:

Harrisonburg-based company Red Root & Co produces plant-based, small batch oxymels, shrubs, tonics, syrups, and bitters in the herbalist tradition. Their Hops & Citrus Bitters is a finalist in the 2021 Good Food Awards, which are a key part of the Good Food Foundation’s mission to highlight the importance of social and environmental responsibility in food production, in addition to having superior flavor and craftsmanship.