...Farm to Table Conference 2012

Qui qui ri qui.

That's the Spanish equivalent of "cock-a-doodle-do".  Weird, right?  Who knew roosters spoke a different language, too?

Oh, and dogs say, "Guau, guau".  Totally close to "Woof, woof".

I had always enjoyed going to farms as a novelty once a year to pick my pumpkin, but until I started frequenting the Pittsburgh Public Market, I didn't realize just how many farms, dairies, etc. existed in the area - and not only that, but they also produce some fine foodstuffs.

I was thrilled to take part in this year's Farm to Table Conference Local Food Tasting.  I left with a full belly and a lot more knowledge about the local farming and food producing business:

An overall shot of the event and attendees

 A sampling from Greek Gourmet - best hummus in Pittsburgh!

Michael from Greek Gourmet and his mom - visit them on Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill (next to Mineo's!)

A lot of hummus from Freshapeel - coming to Pittsburgh soon (Michael's still wins, in my opinion!)

Cheese samples from Wild Purveyors - I miss them in the Pittsburgh Public Market. I need to get to their new storefront!

I'm not a big fan of regular milk (I drink soy), but this grass-fed milk from Manchester Farms was actually really good!

Pretzel Crazy!  Love this display!

More from Pretzel Crazy - those Chipotle Loco pretzels were much better than they may sound!

Clarion River Organics - bought spelt from them here, and bought 2 more bags at the Pittsburgh Public Market since!

The most delicious item of the night - Chicken Terrine from Restaurant Echo. Soooo yummy! 

Gorgonzola Mess from E2.

More from E2

More from E2 - remember, I take pictures of the good stuff, and I took pictures of 3 things from E2!

I've bought Cabot Cheese in the grocery store - it's great!  Especially this Hot Habanero flavor!

Remember my speculoos obsession after New York City?  Next best thing - Maple Honey Butter from BumbleBerry Farms.  Holy cow.  Don't get me near a spoon while this is around, or it will be gone by the spoonful!

Honey from BumbleBerry Farms

 There were so many other things to taste - I just didn't want to take a million pictures!  I was focused on...well, eating.  There were other vendors with juices, dressings, vegetables, you name it - needless to say, I was pretty full when I left!

James and I also had the opportunity to attend the local breakfast at the convention center on Day 2 of the conference, which featured foods made from ingredients from local farms, in addition to local jams and breads:

Breadworks bread highlights my plate at the Farm to Table Local Foods Breakfast. 

Espresso, made with love, from the mobile espresso cart.

The Farm to Table Conference was a great opportunity for local farms, dairies, and other food providers to showcase their products and allowed the attendees the chance to see that great things are made in and around Pittsburgh - while great products exist in other places, too, we don't have to look far to find quality, healthy, well-made foods.  As farmers' market season begins, please keep this in mind before buying your produce, etc. at a supermarket!  The quality (and price) difference will surely amaze you.

Farm to Table Pittsburgh

Website: http://farmtotablepa.com/

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...CONTEST: Farm to Table Pittsburgh

Buying from a local farmer > Buying from a supermarket.

There's more ownership, more confidence, more of a connection in buying from a local farm.  I feel better knowing not only that my produce hasn't traveled too far, but also that I am helping to stimulate the local economy.

Not to mention that the pricing is more reasonable than the local supermarket.  $3.99/lb. for jicama at Giant Eagle vs. $0.89/lb. at Stan's Market in the Strip District?  Big difference when those suckers weigh between 3-4 pounds!

Clarion River organics

Clarion River Organics

My fondest memories of visiting farms are mostly tied to Halloween and pumpkin picking at either Trax Farms or Triple "B" Farms - hay rides, pumpkin picking, and most recently, apple picking.  However, James has made me many meals lately with meat, cheese, and vegetables from Clarion River Organics in the Pittsburgh Public Market, and the quality of their foodstuffs is unlike that of any supermarket's.  

Just yesterday, James made a tagine for dinner with some of the most amazing ingredients from the Pittsburgh Public Market: Clarion Farms Beef flank steak, marinated in East End Brewing Chocolate Cherry Stout; fingerling potatoes and carrots from Clarion River Organics; (and an Asian pear leftover from Costco - sorry, not from a farm).

Our tagine meal, after being pressure-cooked. Soooo tasty!

 Look at this beef.  I wish you could have tasted it!  It.  Was.  Fabulous:

Photo courtesy of James. Beef courtesy of Clarion Farms. Marinade mostly courtesy of East End Brewing.

Olio Fresca Display at Pittsburgh Public Market

 I was also excited to purchase my first oil and balsamic vinegar from Olio Fresca, another participating vendor at the conference.  Lime-infused oil and wild cherry balsamic vinegar will be a great combination on salads, avocado dishes, chicken...

I can't wait to experiment - and tell you all about it!

The Pittsburgh Public Market does a great job of bringing local merchants, farmers, dairies, etc. to one central location for even the biggest city-goers to enjoy.   Don't get me wrong - I have no problem going to the actual farm, etc. to purchase their products, but the public market makes it that much more convenient, especially in the winter months, when farmer's markets are scarce.

If you want to learn more about buying local, fresh, farm-produced goods, or even if you'd just like to sample local foods, this next opportunity is for you:

The 6th Annual Farm to Table Pittsburgh Conference will be held on Friday, March 23rd and Saturday, March 24th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.  This event will feature speakers, demonstrations, and kids' activities, as well as a food tasting on Friday night (23rd) from 5:00-8:00 PM.

I'm going.  AND YOU COULD GO, TOO - FOR FREE!

I am giving away two tickets to the food tasting (a $50 value!), thanks to the Revive Marketing Group, a conference sponsor.  Here is how to enter:

*Leave a comment on this post telling me about your favorite local farm or dairy experience - whether it be purchasing the ingredients there for an incredible meal you made, or milking a cow yourself for the first time, or your preschool field trip to the farm that you remember more vividly than your 5th grade field trip to...wherever that was.  The possibilities are endless! 

*Please include the name of the farm/dairy that you visited in your comment.

*All comments must be submitted by FRIDAY, MARCH 16TH at 11:59 PM.  The winner will be announced and contacted on Sunday, March 18th.  (NOTE: If you post anonymously, I cannot contact you!).  The winner will be chosen at random via http://www.random.org and their random number picker.  Odds of winning based on the number of entries.

*Any inappropriate or irrelevant comments will not be posted publicly and will not be considered as entries.

For a list of participating exhibitors and more details on the food tasting event, click here. 

For more information on the Farm to Table Pittsburgh Conference, see their website: http://farmtotablepa.com/conference.  I can't wait to hear about your farm/dairy experiences, so comment away!