This past Sunday over 120 growers and makers were on full display at the annual Good Food Fest in Kimberton. It’s the ultimate place to go if you want to get a sense of what’s going on in the local food scene. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to scope out gift-giving ideas for the holidays for the foodie in your life.
Pickles were all the rage with many pickle producers, such as Fishtown Pickle Project, which had a line of at least 10 people deep at a time. With an offering of a large array of flavors, including Habanero Dill, Zesty Sweet Garlic and Ghost Pepper Chip, a trio could make a nice variety pack as a gift.
On their website, in addition to eight different types of jarred pickles, they offer some Signature Fried Pickle Kits that are available in spicy and original.
Unique spin on kits
Also offering a unique spin on kits was Katydid Small Farm Tea by Katydid Hill Farm, which offers a yellow botanical box filled with an organic Herbal Tea Flight of seven of their herbal tea blends with such names as Moonbeam and Stardust, plus beloved chamomile.
Locally-grown mushroom growers were also in full force for the mushroom lover in your life who would be delighted to put a stunning lion’s mane or pearl oysters to good use in the kitchen grown by Fungus Aurelius, owned by James Coleman who has 25 years of experience as a career chef.
For those who prefer to be adorned by fungi, Terraintextures offers locally foraged young mushrooms and wildflower jewelry cast in resin. Each pendant, pair of earrings and ring contains its own tiny fairy world that’s artistically executed in a one-of-a-kind design. For tea lovers, botanical designs were merged with a local potter who makes pottery mugs with the outcome serving as a functional work of art.
Gift for a home chef
A CSA share for your loved one would make a fabulous gift for a home chef and could offer a way to support a newer farm to the scene such as Toad Stop Farm, owned by Becky Brett. Plus it will give them something to look forward to during the growing season.
Brett set out on her own to farmland in Chester County after working with a local CSA for seven years. She saw an increased demand for CSAs and seized the opportunity to branch out since many had waiting lists.
Forest-to-table approach
For those on your gift list who enjoy entertaining more than cooking, Les Smoker Woodworking offers a Forest-to-Table approach to making their unique charcuterie boards, cutting boards to coasters and more — all handcrafted using stunning cuts of wood. Visit https://www.lessmokerwoodworking.com/
If you weren’t able to make it to this year’s Fest, no worries as each of these growers and makers are easy to access to help make your gift-giving easy this year, along with supporting our local communities.
For more information on Fishtown Pickle Project, visit www.fishtownpickles.com, Katydid Hill Farm, visit www.katydidhill.com, Fungus Aurelius, visit them on Instagram @fungussurelius, Toad Stop Farm, visit www.toadstopfarm.com, and Terraintextures, visit www.terraintextures.com
