Our favorite North Fork food event is back, and yes, it’s kid-friendly!
You may hear “Foodie Tour” and assume this event is reserved for the adventurous eater and absolutely NOT suited for kids, but you’d be very wrong.
Not only can kids attend the North Fork Foodie Tour, which is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but they should, and here’s why:
“This is an excellent family day. Kids can learn where their food comes from and how it is grown or raised,” Marissa Drago owner of Main Road Biscuit Co. and North Fork Foodie Tour Social Media and Promotion Chair told us. “They can get up close to goats, pigs, chickens, and other animals. They can learn how cheese is made and where milk comes from. They can learn about the hard work it takes to put food on their tables.”
From Baiting Hollow to Greenport, the 18th Annual North Fork Foodie Tour presented by the North Fork Reform Synagogue consists of 20 locations in the agriculture, farming, wine, beverage, and specialty food industries, in addition to guest speakers and conversations at Charnews Farm by industry professionals (however, you may want to skip the speakers if you have younger kids.)
“This is the only North Fork event where you actually go onsite and see first-hand what makes each of these local businesses so special, as opposed to a tasting-style event at a neutral location,” continued Marissa. “We live and work in one of the most beautiful areas of the country. The Foodie Tour has always sought to highlight how these small, hardworking, special businesses have either kept traditions going here or have started new traditions that have enhanced our local community.”
The tour is self-guided meaning you can choose the stops you and your family are most interested in. This style of tour also takes the pressure off needing to stick to an exact schedule.
View the complete schedule of tour times set for each location and plan out your day in advance leaving room to explore, adventure, and eat.
“8 Hands Farm, Catapano Dairy Farm, Red Barn Farm, Goodale Farms, Mattituck Mushroom, and 1760 Homestead all have either something hands-on or something unique and unusual for the curious child to learn,” added Marissa.
In past years our family has also enjoyed Foodie Tour stops at North Fork Flower Farm, KK’s the Farm, and Disset Chocolate all of which are again offered this year on the tour.
But there are also new additions to the Foodie Tour this year.
“We have five new locations for 2024,” Marissa said. “Farrm Vineyards, the first certified organic farm on Long Island, The Old Field Vineyards, a 106-year-old farm backing up to the gorgeous Peconic Bay, Oregon Road Organics, incredible CSA, and a very cool repurposed silo, Sweet Woodland Farm, medicinal herbs and elderberries sold in the form of syrups, creams, teas, and more, Breeze Hill Farm, beautiful and vast apple orchard and wonderful market with local goods, and 8 Hands Farm, back after a hiatus from the Foodie Tour, provides a literal farm-to-table experience with an incredible market offering meats, soups, and a working farm you can view.”
Tickets to the North Fork Foodie Tour cost $30/adult and free for children 12 and under and can be purchased here.