Every family has their own modus operandi for obtaining the ideal Thanksgiving meal. For those seeking a holiday smorgasbord that’s as fresh and local as possible, patronizing some of the following Skagit County vendors will help one accomplish such a goal.
Turkeys
If taking home a turkey wrapped in something other than a Butterball wrapper sounds good to you, the Skagit Valley has several great places to bag a bird.
Sedro-Woolley’s Reine Acres is a fifth-generation family farm homesteaded in 1913. Reine offers a slew of different farm box options for both produce and pastured animal products, and offers pick-up on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Acme’s Osprey Hill Farm is a first-generation family farm committed to organic, sustainable practices in humanely raising turkeys, chickens and rabbits that are also reasonably-priced. Owners Geoff and Anna Martin are also mentors for Sustainable Connection’s Food to Bank On program, which helps teach farmers just beginning their agricultural careers. It’s important to note the farm has nearly reached its 2020 pre-Thanksgiving poultry butchering capacity, so act fast.
Mount Vernon’s Hidden Meadow Ranch is another family farm humanely raising pastured livestock, including Heritage turkeys, lambs, ducks, chickens and pigs. Unfortunately, the farm has no more saleable meat for 2020, in part due to earlier concerns about pandemic-related meat shortages. But keep it in mind for 2021 meat needs.
Fruits and Vegetables
Whether you’re looking for green beans for a green bean casserole, spuds for mashed taters, or any other fresh produce, there is no shortage of options in the Skagit Valley.
For non-canned cranberries, consider a stop at Northwest Wild Foods, a Burlington-based company featuring tons of fresh and natural foods, including locally hand-gathered berries of all varieties. Their berries are USDA-certified organic and flash-frozen at harvest to keep them as fresh as possible.
Waxwing Farm is a small, certified organic vegetable farm in Mount Vernon selling everything from salad greens to herbs. Their farm stand is open during the fall each Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
La Conner Gardens, just a mile east of La Conner, specializes in gourmet garlic along with heirloom tomatoes and other fresh-picked produce.
Blanchard Mountain Farm is a certified organic farm just off Chuckanut Drive near Edison. Their farm stand operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is a great place to pick up winter squash.
Viva Farms, a Burlington-based nonprofit farm business incubator, offers beets, carrots, and numerous winter squash.
Photo courtesy: Northwest Wild Foods
Bay Baby Produce in Mount Vernon offers a large selection of organic winter squash and pumpkins for both decorating and eating.
Other local vendors with produce at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op include Acme’s Moondance Farm and La Conner’s Hedlin’s Family Farm.
And of course, the Mount Vernon Farmers Market is also offering a socially-distanced Harvest Market in 2020. This year also includes a virtual option, where orders can be placed until November 16 with pickups on November 21.
Pies and Baked Goods
No Thanksgiving is complete, of course, without a little pie. Whether you prefer it cold, warm, or a la mode, there are several great bakeries from which to procure fresh pumpkin, pecan, apple or other pie varieties.
Among local bakeries, Calico Cupboard is a proverbial empire of sweetness. The business has three locations in Anacortes, La Conner and Mount Vernon. In addition to nearly a dozen varieties of pie, Calico has a selection of special holiday treats including almond wreaths, holiday cookies and bars, cinnamon rolls, scones, and homemade dinner rolls. Some of their treats are also available in gluten-free options. To ensure you get the treats you need, Calico says it’s best to order your desserts 24 hours in advance.
Bow’s Farm to Market Bakery, owned by Jim and Lisa Kowalski since 2006, offers orders for full seasonal fruit pies, and the aforementioned Northwest Wild Foods also offers an assortment of homemade, fruit-based pies.
This article is by no means a complete or comprehensive summary of the culinary bounty Skagit County has to offer, but we hope it helps your family have a delicious Thanksgiving meal while supporting local businesses. Cheers!
