About ‘Field to Feast,’ our Farm-to-Table Thanksgiving

From Field to Feast: How Seasonal Roots and Regional Farmers Are Redefining Thanksgiving

“We’re showing up on more tables every year.”

Every Thanksgiving, Emily Gannon’s mission is clear. As the artisan goods manager at Seasonal Roots, she aims to make the meal a farm-to-table, or “Field to Feast,” experience for as many Virginia and Maryland households as possible.

But this isn’t your traditional holiday fare. It consists of locally sourced, farm-to-table dishes from small businesses and farmers focused on land stewardship. Think: pasture-raised turkeys, galettes filled with fruit from local orchards, or fresh baked cinnamon rolls from your neighborhood bakery— all delivered to your door.

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots has linked households with fresh food from nearby farmers and artisans through a weekly online marketplace and home delivery service. Guided by principles of sustainability, community and freshness, Seasonal Roots makes it easy to eat well and support local farms.

Take Enos King of Spring Creek Meadows, an Amish farm in Farmville, VA. He plans to raise 500 turkeys this year for the holiday. At Spring Creek Meadows, his turkeys experience many luxuries that commercially farmed turkeys could only imagine, like the ability to frolic through abundant pastures, no hormone injections and natural growth throughout their lifetime.

Thanksgiving is a holiday of bounty, but it often comes at a cost to wildlife populations and the environment.

King uses regenerative farming practices, such as relocating the turkeys to fresh patches of pasture twice a day so that the land can restore itself and the turkeys get a variety of fresh nutrients. According to him, this has a significant impact on the taste and wellbeing of the animals.

“In anything you do there’s a balance,” said King. “This definitely requires a lot of labor, and I gotta come out and move them [to fresh grass] everyday. But the birds are happier and healthier, so why wouldn’t I do it?”

Every year, proteins from farms like King’s sell out quicker, demonstrating a growing desire for a farm-to-table feast.
Gannon tackles a significant task of her own this season, spending hours curating the perfect Thanksgiving menu for customers to pre-order from Seasonal Roots. From premium meats to ready-to-heat sides and desserts, each item reflects local connection and care.

The online market plans to feature a bounty of staples from vendors, such as the ‘All the Fixin’s’ Kit from Richmond-based Leek and Thistle.

“We are very grateful that our products reach many households thanks to Seasonal Roots, but no more so than at Thanksgiving,” said Mela Jones, Leek and Thistle’s owner. Her business has sold through Seasonal Roots for over five years, and according to Mela, has received “many messages of appreciation,” for helping relieve many of the day’s kitchen duties. This Thanksgiving, she’s offering up traditional sides with a culinary twist including Cornbread and Apple Stuffing and Crème fraîche Mashed Potatoes.

With a nod toward our region’s agriculture and flavors, Seasonal Roots encourages Virginians to give local farmers a seat at the table this year.

Learn More and Order:

Learn more about Seasonal Roots’ mission and order through their regular weekly market here on https://www.seasonalroots.com/.

Field to Feast: Thanksgiving Dinner is available for pre-ordering from October 31st through November 13th. You must be a member to order.

Click Here to Order Field to Feast

Not yet a member?

Join Seasonal Roots today and get 50% off your membership with discount code FALLGUIDE25 at sign up. Don’t miss out on fresh, local food delivered right to your door!