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I try to support local business owners in Arkansas as often as possible. I prefer to “shop small” and return my money to the local economy. Big box stores and national chain restaurants support local workers, but a large portion of their profits go to corporate offices in another town or state.
With the emergence of more local restaurants and shops that carry Arkansas Grown and Arkansas Made products, it’s becoming easier and easier to support local farmers and artisans. Visiting a local farmer’s market is a great way to get locally made goods or you can check out shops like Margie’s Market in Bald Knob or the Me & McGee Market in North Little Rock for a large assortment of products throughout the week.
Farm-to-table (or farm-to-fork) is a growing movement that supports using local meat and produce in restaurants. Local chefs partner with small farms to enhance their menu with seasonal produce, fresh meat and cheeses. Ultimately, they provide customers with a meal that supports Arkansas from the ground up. Check out these spots across the state that are leading this movement, making a difference in the lives of small family farmers and crafting incredible meals.
Above photo and cover photo courtesy of The Farmer’s Table Cafe.
The Farmer’s Table Cafe – Fayetteville
When you sit down for a meal at The Farmer’s Table Cafe, you not only get a great meal but also the opportunity to support local farmers and agriculture. The restaurant’s name is a befitting moniker, as they source most of their meat, eggs and vegetables from local farms. That means that some menu items are limited, and the menu is always changing, but you can rest assured that you will always get something fresh and delicious.
Photo courtesy of Burrito Day.
Burrito Day – Searcy
The staff at Burrito Day is proud to serve local meat and produce in their Mexican-inspired dishes. They’ve partnered with local farms to get the best ingredients, and everything from their pastries to marinades, sauces, salsas and guacamole are made fresh in-house each day.
Photo courtesy of Rabbit Ridge Farm.
Rabbit Ridge Farms – Bee Branch
Rabbit Ridge Farms not only serves local food, but they also raise it too! Their restaurant and event space serve breakfast and lunch every Friday and Saturday from March through December and host one special dinner each month. Their menu features chicken, pork and beef that is pasture-raised on the property. It doesn’t get fresher than that! You can also purchase meat products at their farm store.
More Farm-To-Table Restaurants Across Arkansas
Brave New Restaurant (Little Rock) – Brave New Restaurant opened in the 1980s and was one of the pioneers of farm-to-table dining.
The Hive (Bentonville): Executive Chef Micah Klasky builds his menu with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. This allows diners to experience the local agricultural community in a fresh and exciting way, with high-quality dishes that feature regional meat and produce at the height of perfection.
Photo courtesy of The Root Cafe.
The Root Cafe (Little Rock)—The Root Cafe is committed to sourcing as much as possible from local producers, including 100% of its meat, eggs and bread.
Wild Sweet Williams (Searcy)—Wild Sweet Williams is famous for its handmade pastries, but its fresh lunch options are growing in popularity. Whenever possible, owner, head baker and menu mastermind Lisa Ford sources the produce and meats used in their lunch and savory pastries from local farms.
Native Brew Works (Jonesboro) – Some of their beverages are made with locally grown rice and sweet potatoes.
Superior Bathhouse Brewery & Distillery (Hot Springs) – Collected from a local source, Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the only brewery in the world to make beer using thermal spring waters.
Photo courtesy of ZaZa Pizza.
ZaZa Pizza & Salad (Little Rock)—From the vibrant greens and vegetables in their customizable salads to the toppings on their Napoli-style wood-fired pizzas, ZaZa prioritizes quality and sustainability by partnering with Arkansas farms to bring fresh, seasonal produce to its menu.
Tusk & Trotter American Brasserie (Bentonville) – Known for its “high on the hog” cuisine, Tusk & Trotter uses locally sourced meats and produce to create innovative Southern dishes.
The Parsonage (Jonesboro)—The Parsonage was one of the first restaurants in Northeast Arkansas to focus on farm-to-table food. Nine years later, it is still churning out incredible breakfast and brunch options and supporting local farms whenever possible.
Ciao Baci (Little Rock)—Located in Little Rock’s historic Hillcrest neighborhood, Ciao Baci is dedicated to farm-to-table dining. It sources fresh, seasonal ingredients from local Arkansas farms. The menu, featuring Mediterranean-Southern dishes like lamb shank and seasonal salads, highlights regional produce and proteins, supporting sustainability and the local economy.
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