Why choose a farm-to-table Bed and Breakfast?
Farm to Table is becoming a commonly used term these days.
What does this term mean and what is all the fuss about?
There are a number of reasons to choose the farm fresh to table lifestyle.
But I believe there is more than just reasoning behind our choices; a story, a connection, says Gail Olberg, Owner of Shady Acres Bed and Breakfast in Hanover, Virginia, as to why people like Gail develop a passion for, and choose, farm-to-table as a lifestyle.
We all know that the fresher the produce, the more nutrition we get from it. And recently, research has confirmed what our Grandmothers already knew; that gardening is therapeutic and can lower blood pressure. (I personally think it triggers happy endorphins just as turkey at Thanksgiving does.)That’s the practical side…
Then there’s the emotional side…the un-matched flavor that accompanies that just picked perfectly ripe fruit or vegetable! You can see and taste the difference immediately.
Really, if you like people watching…take notice the next time you see someone tasting farm fresh produce. They always have a look of ecstasy and a smile on their face; and re-act like they have found a hidden “treasure”.
Gail goes on to say; I attached to a farm fresh to table lifestyle at an early age.
My parents had a very old home that had heirloom plum and apple trees, rosebushes and other flowers. When I was a kid, there was nothing more rejuvenating on a hot summer day than a fresh picked plum or tomato for an energy pick-me-up. No need for refrigeration…fresh from the tree or vine was fine. Desserts in our house were tasty treats like shortcake with hand-made biscuits, fresh picked fruit & real whipped cream!
My father felt the healthier you ate resulted in fewer trips to the Doctors and fresh produce from the garden was part of that. One of our daily chores was for each family member to weed one row in the garden. So our farm to table lifestyle provided exercise as well !!!
When I graduated and moved away from my parents’ home, I took a baby plum tree with me to plant at my new home, and to this day, I have taken off-spring from that original tree with me to every home I have owned since. And with each re-location, this off-spring has been the beginning of a new fruit orchard, just as it has in the orchard here at Shady Acres.
I like the idea of suddenly being inspired to bake a pie and being able to walk into my back yard and pick whatever is in season. It’s gratifying for me to know I planted and cared for these plants, and for that effort, they are giving me this wonderful red raspberry pie in return.
Our guests at Shady Acres Bed and Breakfast seem to agree. They always enjoy the fresh from the garden flowers in their room and the pies, coffee cake, quiche and breakfast light-bread made with our fresh from the garden, asparagus, spinach, pears, apples, berries and free-range eggs from our resident chickens, (who, by the way… all have names and come when called),
Gail invites you to experience the difference for yourself; We’d love to have you treat yourself to stay at Shady Acres and let your taste buds fall in love with produce that doesn’t get any fresher than a one minute walk from our front door. We look forward to seeing you soon!
