CURRENTLY THE FARM, BAKERY AND EDUCATION CENTER ARE TAKING A BREAK AND ARE NOT IN OPERATION. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES. (UPDATED APRIL 2013)
FRESH FROM THE VINES
Located north of Meadville, PA on State Highway 98, Fresh From The Vines is a family farm committed to growing nutritious vegetables and fruits in the garden, fields, and high tunnels; and producing high-quality, wholesome baked goods in the natural bakery. Our commitment includes: farming sustainably, providing fresh food for our community, and offering education to those who would like to learn more about the foods they eat.
A visit to Fresh From The Vines is an education. Through our 501(c)(3) non-profit Education Center, we lead farm tours, give presentations and talks upon request, and offer classes for community partners. We strive to engage audiences and challenge them to consider where their food comes from. The farm also serves as a learning site for a number of invaluable volunteers who desire a hands-on learning experience and seek to know what it takes to grow good foods to nourish our bodies. We believe that people have the right to know what they are eating, and we strive to help them better understand this as we equip them with the necessary information to make healthy choices.
An important part of leading a sustainable lifestyle involves "eating local", which means buying food grown as close to home as possible. "Eating local" minimizes the time between harvest and the dinner table. Produce begins to lose nutrients after it is harvested. Therefore, less time between the farm and your table means more nutritious food for you. Besides that--fresh food also tastes better. By choosing local food, you pay for taste and invest in your local farmers, instead of transportation and packaging. Sustainable farms like Fresh From The Vines are an integral part of a community, where money made on the farm is filtered back into local businesses. Studies have shown that buying local goods keeps up to 85% of each dollar in the area, supporting the local economy.
Every dollar you spend sends a message. The more you spend on sustainable food, the more capacity there is for growing sustainable food. By investing in local food, you support your community and initiate a cycle of sustainability in your backyard.