Are you looking for fresh local bread near Greenville, SC? Grocery store shelves are not the only place to look. There are many local bakeries that bake and sell fresh bread in the Greenville and Spartanburg area. We pulled together this list of local bakeries with bread. Let us know which is your favorite!
Places to Buy Fresh Bread Near Greenville, SC
Great Harvest Bread
My all-time favorite Great Harvest Bread is the blueberry cream cheese bread. It’s basically a dessert breakfast disguised as a slice of bread. But I’m ok with that. In addition to their delicious specialty breads, though, Great Harvest Bread also offers sourdough loaves, various whole wheat loaves and a lot more.
Great Harvest Bread is also where I got my sourdough starter. That means you can make your own sourdough bread at home. Just give them a call to see if they have some sourdough starter to share.
1467 Woodruff Rd., Unit B, Greenville 864.286.6944
The Willow Whole Health Market
Breads, rolls, and pastries are just some of the things you’ll find at The Willow Whole Health Market. They use high-quality, organic ingredients. The bread is delivered every Tuesday before 5 pm. While you are there, you can browse other local ingredients you might need. We love grabbing the Southern Oaks fresh butter to go with our sourdough bread!
Skyland Farm sells a variety of local items, including produce, meats, dairy, and bread! You can find Henhouse Bakery items at Skyland, as well as Southers Oaks dairy products. That means you can get your local bread and milk in one stop.
4124 North Highway 14 Greer, SC 29651 864.616.0050
Le Petit Croissant
In addition to delicious chocolate and pastries, you can get French baguettes, sourdough loaves, and white bread loaves at Le Petit Croissant. You can order online and pick up at the bakery or stop in. Right now, they are open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
640 South Main Street, Greenville 864.520.1555
Panera Bread
Everyone knows Panera Bread for their cafe and bakery offerings. They also offer full-size loaves of bread for sale. You can get everything from their asiago cheese bread, to cinnamon raisin bread, to a sourdough loaf or classic white. They have also recently rolled out Panera Grocery. Note that not all the breads available are listed under the grocery tab. Scroll to the bottom of the bakery tab and you might find more options.
Multiple locations
Strossner’s Bakery, Cafe and Deli
You’ll find a wide array of bread varieties at Strossner’s Bakery, plus all of their delicious cakes, cookies, treats and cafe food.
21 Roper Mountain Road, Greenville 864.233.3996
Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery
In addition to their famous house-made stecca bread, Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery carries bread from several local bakeries in their store. Order online and pick up curbside or shop in the grocery portion of the building.
205 Cedar Lane Road, Greenville 864.255.3385
Where is your favorite place to pick up a fresh loaf of bread?
If you’ve ever wished for a grocery stop that felt more like visiting a neighbor than tackling a big box store, Willow Whole Health Market & Coffee Shop might be just what you’re looking for. This little shop on Locust Hill Road, tucked next to Sushi Shack in the Taylors/Greer area, offers a slower, friendlier kind of shopping — and a cozy place to sip a warm drink, too.
We stopped by recently and loved the experience.
Quick Summary: The Willow
Willow Whole Health Market & Coffee Shop 📍 Locust Hill Road, Taylors/Greer (next to Sushi Shack) 🛒 Organic groceries, local milk, eggs, and meats ☕ Organic Coffee and tea with dietary-conscious options 🪑 Cozy indoor seating in the back of the shop
A Tiny Market Full of Local Finds
Willow is a small shop, but every shelf is full of something fabulous. During our visit, we noticed a steady stream of regulars popping in — many heading straight for the fridge stocked with local milk, butter, and Happy Cow dairy. A few were greeted by name. It’s that kind of place.
In addition to the usual healthy staples — natural pantry goods — we found:
Local eggs and sourdough bread
Southern Oaks butter (so good!)
Frozen local meats
Jams, pickles, and grits made nearby
The market also caters to folks with food sensitivities, offering gluten-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free options throughout the store.
The space is small but bright, and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. They answered questions, gave us tips on favorite products, and were genuinely kind — no big-store rush or pressure.
I left the shop with a loaf of local sourdough and some fresh butter from Southern Oaks dairy. Let me tell you, add a local egg, and that’s 100% a championship breakfast kind of thing right there. I’m layering on that butter like it’s cream cheese. So good.
A Quiet Spot to Sip and Stay Awhile
Toward the back of the market, you’ll find a warm little seating area and an organic coffee counter offering lattes, teas, and bakery treats. It’s relaxed and unpretentious — the kind of place you could bring your laptop or a friend and settle in.
One of us ordered a gingerbread cookie latte made with oat milk, and it hit the spot — not too sweet, with a cozy spice flavor. We also shared a cinnamon roll (definitely worth it). The coffee menu includes options for different dietary needs, and it felt good to enjoy something that didn’t come from a chain.
The back seating area has soft chairs and a laid-back vibe, perfect for quietly getting things done or just enjoying a peaceful pause in your day.
We spent about 2 hours getting some Kidding Around teamwork accomplished, and we enjoyed our time so much that we knew we had to share this spot with you! (See, we’re always looking out for our readers!)
We’ll be back: The Willow Whole Health Market
Willow isn’t flashy, and that’s kind of the point. It’s small, friendly, and focused on real, good-for-you food — the kind that supports local farmers and leaves you feeling taken care of.
Whether you’re picking up a jug of raw milk, browsing for a thoughtful food gift, or just stopping in for a quiet cup of coffee, Willow Whole Health Market & Coffee Shop is a sweet little stop worth knowing about.
Dining trends are constantly shifting and evolving as diners across the country make room on the table for what works for them, and do away with what doesn’t. Resy has unveiled its annual Resy Retrospective, a look back at the top trends and culinary moments of 2025, as well as a glimpse into what’s to come in 2026. From a focus on connection, in the form of listening bars and communal tables, to mortadella and tiny tini’s being all the rage, every reservation is an insight into what brings people out of their homes. The thing that ties it all together? Connection.
The Atlanta Voice examined those trends with Chef Demetrius Brown, owner and executive chef of Inman Park’s Bread & Butterfly.
“But I think the biggest trend that we’ve seen is people wanting a lot more local food. They also want a story behind their food,” said Chef Demetrius Brown (above). Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice
The Atlanta Voice: When you look at the trends that are bringing diners together, especially in a city like Atlanta, do those trends actively affect what’s going on in the back of the kitchen?
Demetrius Brown: “We really don’t try to look at other restaurants, but whenever we go out to eat, and we see a common theme, we do try to adjust our menu accordingly. But I think the biggest trend that we’ve seen is people wanting a lot more local food. They also want a story behind their food, kind of tying everything into either the chef’s heritage or the owner’s heritage, which are both things that we do at Bread & Butterfly. They don’t want just food to taste good for the sake of being good.
AV: How do you utilize those trends in a space like Bread & Butterfly, where the focus is global fusion, and you’re influenced by so many different places, not just one city?
DB: “It’s a hard balance, because you want to not only represent the diaspora in the countries that you’re cooking, but you also want to represent the city that you’re in. And I think one thing that we do really well here is we try to be as collaborative as possible, like collaborating with other chefs and up-and-coming chefs. We also listen to a lot of our diners when they want a specific thing. We try to cater to them also, because they keep the lights on at the end of the day.”
AV: You have a different perspective from the average restaurant goers in that you’re able to glean what hundreds of people love to eat a week. Are there any food trends you predict popping off in 2026?
DB: “I think the biggest thing is getting back to smaller restaurants, especially in Atlanta. I think Atlanta and Texas have similar dining scenes where they think big, grand restaurants are the way to go. With rent increases and goods increasing rapidly, a lot of people are going to smaller, more cozier restaurants, and I think that’s the biggest trend that will affect not only restaurants, but also the diners. And something that we do here, that I see a lot of other places doing also, is a lot more like communal dining. Our menu at nighttime is structured to be shared between two to four people. And I think that’s something that, post-pandemic, is becoming really, really popular, also.
AV: From communal tables to listening bars, are there any dining trends in Atlanta that stood out to you personally this year?
DB: “The listening bars, honestly. There are coffee places. There are wine bars doing it. I also think wine and cocktail bars are another thing that’s going to make a huge comeback, especially if the economy continues to go the way it’s going. People do like to drink, especially when times are bad. So I think cocktail lounges and wine bars are going to be a lot more prevalent than they are now.”
AV: When you’re not behind the scenes in the kitchen, as a restaurant goer yourself, what trends did you find yourself hopping on?
DB: “I like to think of myself as a trendsetter [laughs]. The biggest trend that I see a lot of people doing is one person ordering for the entire table — I’ve always done that. And then sharing food also. But also, being more loyal to restaurants rather than chasing the next best thing. I think a lot of people are trying to find restaurants that deliver really good service, really good food, and kind of stick to those few places.”
AV: As we continue to examine these dining trends in Atlanta, how do you hope Bread & Butterfly places itself as a trendsetter, as a place that is making these trends happen in the city?
DB: “One thing that we’ve hung our hat on is trying to be as eco-friendly as possible. We compost all of our food waste, and all of our to-go ware is compostable. We don’t use any single-use plastic in the kitchen. So, I think that’s the trend that’s going to make a comeback in 2026. You see a lot of other states like California, New York, that are a lot more popular, but I think Atlanta is ripe for the picking to follow suit.”
“Of course, we will always continue to operate with the partnerships we have, but the level at which we feed the community may look different depending on the donations we get going forward,” Rasmussen told the Northwestern.
“I have full faith in our community because they’ve always rallied, so I am certainly hopeful new donations will come our way.”
The Trump administration cut two federal food programs that provided $1 billion of funding under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
OACP is just one of more than 50,000 entities, including schools and other food banks, severely impacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture ending two federal food programs in March that allotted around $1 billion in funding.
It’s estimated the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement provided about $420 million — funding that food banks like OACP use to buy fresh produce from local farmers to feed their guests.
Rasmussen said Oshkosh farmers already had allotted “plants in the ground” for OACP prior to the termination of the program, resulting in what he estimates to be the loss of an entire summer crop of food.
“Access to healthy food shouldn’t be a luxury, it’s a basic need,” Rasmussen wrote in a recent news release. “Programs like LFPA helped us build strong connections between local farms and food assistance organizations.”
OASP assists more than 2,800 families monthly at its 2551 Jackson St. location.
Volunteers Michelle Diener, left, and Sue Schmid sort and organize boxes of produce Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry in Oshkosh.
According to Rasmussen, the loss of federal funding comes at a time when OACP assists more than 2,800 families a month — a record high for the Oshkosh food bank.
It’s also a number Rasmussen doesn’t see “coming down any time soon.”
OASP has received a measure of relief in the form of $60,000 worth of donations from Olden Organics, Winnebago County, Women Who Care Greater Oshkosh, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
Rasmussen is also asking for more community members to assist OACP’s efforts by donating, volunteering and supporting local farmers.
“Fresh, local food is not only better for our health, but it also strengthens our local economy and builds community resilience,” Olden Organics wrote in a news release.
“We’re proud to continue working alongside OACP to make a difference right here in our region.”
OACP is open for guest shopping at the St. Vincent de Paul building, 2551 Jackson St., from 2 to 6 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville.
While the Fall season brings pumpkin patches, awesome festivals, and apple picking, it’s also the return of football season. And that means tailgating parties. Tailgating is such a fun way to spend time with family and friends. But you need good food and if you don’t want to pull out all the stops yourself, check out these places that will kick your tailgating party up a few notches. Local mom Kristina Hernandez shares the best local restaurants that cater tailgating parties!
There is nothing quite like tailgating food. It’s usually delicious and meaty, plus paired with some roasted corn and potatoes, you have it made! These local restaurants are perfect for catering your next tailgating party.
Bucky’s BBQ
I love Bucky’s BBQ so much that I used them to cater my daughter’s baptism. But they also do a great job with tailgating parties.
Located close to 85, Charlie’s Bar-B-Que actually has what they call a “tailgate kit”. They include baked beans, cole slaw, chips, bread, tea, and plates along with the entrée of your choice of BBQ, BBQ & Turkey, or BBQ & Chicken.
See why we love Grill Marks, especially their milkshakes. (Plus, they have gluten-free options, woohoo!)
Henry’s Smokehouse
A BBQ staple in Greenville, Henry’s Smokehouse offers their award-winning food for tailgating. They have lots of options plus offers of setting up and taking down if you need.
Not only does Nard’s Backyard BBQ cater but they are also a full-fledged BBQ competition team. They will work to cater any size event and keep it within your budget.
Catering mostly for Clemson games, the The Smoking Pigs Restaurant has four packages to choose from, ranging in price from $82.99 up to $440.99. All of them sound super tasty.
Some of the best BBQ in the Upstate can be found at the award-winning SBH BBQ, plus they have catering! Their slow smoked brisket is absolutely delicious!
One location in Greenville and one location in Travelers Rest SBH BBQ Website
Mutt’s BBQ
Mutt’s is a family favorite in our house, and their catering services saved the day at our Baby Q Barbecue baby shower! Their family packs will come in handy if you are doing a 10-person tailgate party at home, but they also have a full catering menu.
The rubber chicken has finally made a home in Greenville! People on the Greenville Foodies Facebook page are loving Dave’s Hot Chicken, and they have some excellent options for your next tailgate. You’ll find their Hotbox Tenders and Hotbox Sliders the perfect pairing for your next tailgating party.
Growing up in Nara, Japan, surrounded by tea fields, matcha has always been a part of my life. The full aroma and the deep bitter and sweet umami taste of this vivid green tea evokes so much nostalgia for me.
When I was in high school, I started taking formal tea ceremony lessons. It was a highlight of my week. Our tea master would always give my classmates and me delicious, seasonal Japanese wagashi (sweets)and flowers, and she invited us to watch and help during her tea ceremony at a prestigious temple in Kyoto.
I still regularly perform Chado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony for preparing green tea. I stopped for a time when I moved to the United States, but resuming the practice here in New York has provided a valuable sense of community for me.
More than anything, I associate matcha with the wisdom of my elders. My 99-year-old aunt and my 98-year-old mentor, who I call Papa-san, have been making their own matcha for most of their lives. I’ve even inherited some of their matcha bowls and utensils.
Matcha is my No. 1 beverage for boosting longevity, and I drink it every day.
Here I am offering a tea ceremony and lecture for the community in Beacon, New York.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend a Chakai (tea gathering) or be served in a formal setting, there are several rules to follow — these are some key ones.
When you are served, say “Okemae chodai Itashimasu,” which means “Thank you for serving tea to me.” Then pick up the bowl, hold it with both hands, take a moment to look at the color and enjoy.
My daily matcha with my 99-year-old aunt’s tea bowl.
Photo: Michiko Tomioka
After you finish, once again, look at the bowl and carefully hold it in both hands. Then return it back to the place where you were served.
The most important thing is to express your appreciation, relax and embrace the moment.
My day starts with offering a prayer and a bowl of matcha to my ancestors.Then I make a bowl for myself and one for my son before he goes to work as a physical therapist. This daily ritual for performing Chado fills me with such a sense of peace.
Here are the steps I take:
I boil approximately two ounces of water.
I place half a cup of hot water into my bowl and with my chasen (bamboo tea whisk), I swirl the water several times to purify my tools. Takayama, a village in my home of Nara, is famous for making chasen.
I drain the water and then wipe everything with a clean cloth or paper towel.
With my chashaku (traditional bamboo tea scoop), I measure out two grams of green matcha powder and place it on the bottom of the bowl.
I slowly pour approximately 60 ml of hot water over the powder and enjoy the emerging aroma.
I hold the bowl carefully with my left hand and whisk, making sure to hold the chasen vertically, for about 20 seconds. I call this my “gift of Zen moment.”
In Japan, making my own tea scoop at Master Tango Tanimura’s place in Takayama, Nara. The Tanimura family has been producing tea whisks for nearly 500 years.
Photo: Michiko Tomioka
During the summer, I will sometimes transfer the prepared tea into a portable thermos and add about half a cup of crushed ice for a refreshing and cool to-go treat.
One of my favorite makers of matchais the Ippodo Tea Company. It is based in Kyoto, and has been operational since the 1700s. I also recommend using bamboo tea whisks, which you can often find in Asian grocery stores or online.
If you’re just getting started, you can always use a small kitchen hand whisk or even a mason jar with a lid — but no blender, please, the matcha powder is so delicate.
After I complete this meditative routine, I always feel a little lighter. Simply put, it is healing.
Michiko Tomioka, MBA, RDN, is a certified nutritionist and longevity expert. Born and raised in Nara, Japan, her approach focuses on a plant-based diet. She has worked in nutritional roles at substance recovery centers, charter schools and food banks. Follow her on Instagram @michian_rd.
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Dreaming of ripe blackberries? Interested in upick blueberries? Greenville, SC, and WNC have several places to pick those sweet, juicy berries yourself! We love picking fresh berries and filling up the freezer for this year’s blueberry muffins, oatmeal, blackberry cobbler, pies, and more. Here’s a list of local blueberry and blackberry farms in Greenville where you can pick your own.
Definitely check these farms’ websites, Facebook pages or give them a call. Farms will close early if they’ve had heavy picking, bad weather, etc. Additionally, many of these farms are small, family-run farms and they’ll let you know where to find them to pay for your berries. Sometimes they’ll have hours where they will be at a farm shed or store and other hours where you’ll need to stop at a house on the property. So it’s good to know where you’ll find the owners before you get picking.
Blueberry Picking Near Me: The Upstate and WNC
Arrowhead Acres
Arrowhead Acres Blueberry Farm is a family farm with organically grown berries. Picking hours are Monday-Saturday from 7 am – 3 pm but always double check before you go to ensure the blueberries are ready and the farm is open. You can usually find their fresh blueberries every Saturday at the Travelers Rest Farmer’s Market. Arrowhead Acres plans to open early June 2024 and their berries are $4/pound.
37 Bates Bridge Road, Travelers Rest 864.836.8418
Blueberry Hill in Travelers Rest
Set on a hill out in Travelers Rest, Blueberry Hill, has berries that haven’t been sprayed with chemicals. My family picked here and we found loads of extremely sweet berries. Visit their website for their hours and days open as they may vary. They said berries are looking good for 2024 but no open date as of yet. Blueberries will be $10/gallon for u-pick and $20/gallon we pick.
1323 Old Mush Creek Road, Travelers Rest 864.517.9594
Blueberry Hill at Paris Mountain
Check out this no-spray blueberry farm in Greenville. At Blueberry Hill at Paris Mountain, picnics are welcome and restrooms are available. They will open mid-June 2024 but they don’t have consistent hours so you need to check before you go. Quarts are $8 and gallons are $30. Know that dogs are not allowed on the property as it is a working farm. Cash or check only.
222 Tanyard Road, Greenville 864.354.4543
Callaham Orchards
They sometimes run u-pick specials on their Facebook page; keep an eye out for them! You can pick blueberries in the summer.
559 Crawford Road, Belton 864.338.0810
Chattooga Belle Farm
Chattooga Belle Farm has many kinds of u-pick fruits. No update yet on when blueberries will be ready for summer 2024.. You can also purchase berries in the farm store. 2023 prices for upick blueberries were 3.75/lb, $4.50/pint, and $33/gallon.
454 Damascus Church Road, Longcreek, SC 864.647.9768
Gentry Farms
Gentry Farms offers u-pick and pre-picked blueberries. They also have pecans and scuppernongs. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for information on blueberry picking. They plan to open in June 2024 (no exact date yet). Cash or check only.
369 Dials Church Road, Gray Court 864.230.3837
Happy Berry
The Happy Berry is well known to berry lovers. You can find them and their delicious berries at the Greenville Farmers Market, but if you want to pick your own, you’ll need to visit their farm in Six Mile. In addition to blueberries, they also have u-pick blackberries. This is one of the bigger berry farms and they offer farm fresh eggs, jams and more in their store. Blackberry picking begins May 27, 2024 and upick blueberries are estimated to begin June 10, 2024. Prices and hours are listed on their website.
510 Gap Hill Road, Six Mile 864.350.9345 864.508.6939 (farm phone)
Mixon Farm
Mixon Farm has u-pick available for $12/gallon and we pick for $20/gallon. They are planning to open u-pick the first week of June 2024.
121054 Highway 101, Gray Court 864.360.7064
Etowah Blueberries
Located in North Carolina just over an hour from Greenville, you can pick your own blueberries at Etowah Blueberries. Early varieties will be available in early June.
6647 Brevard Road, Etowah, NC 828.577.9508
Pressley Farms
You have to make an appointment to pick your own blueberries at Pressley Farms in Hendersonville, NC. Call them to do so.
If you are looking to u pick blackberries, then Bison Berry Farms in Enoree, SC has plenty. This 70-acre farm will have blackberries ready for upick on June 8, 2024. For updates, check out the Bison Berry Farms Facebook page.
Located a little more than an hour away in Hendersonville, NC and known for their three-bite blackberries, Fruit of the Spirit Orchard and Vineyard offers four varieties of blackberries across 10 acres. They also sell pre-picked berries. Open date for 2024 is not available yet.
One of our favorite apple orchards also has u-pick blackberries! Justus Orchard in Hendersonville, NC opens for blackberry season in early July. They are open Monday-Sunday, 9 am – 5 pm.
187 Garren Road, Hendersonville, NC 828.974.1232
Blackberries at Justus Orchard
BONUS: Where to pick BOTH
Obermiller’s Strawberry Farm
Obermiller’s Strawberry Farm, located in Hendersonville, NC, welcomes you for some mix-and-match blackberry and blueberry picking. Check their Facebook page in late June for information on 2024 picking.
621 All Star Lane, Hendersonville, NC 828.891.8841
Trick Creek Farm
Only an hour from Greenville, Trickle Creek Farm in NC does u-pick blueberries and blackberries. No 2024 dates yet for berries. Check their Facebook page for hours.
3620 Highway 9 N, Mill Spring, NC 828.329.0989
Jeter Mountain Farm
This season’s opening in mid to late July 2024. Jeter Mountain Farm will open again for u-pick blueberries, blackberries, elderberries, raspberries, grapes, peaches, and sunflowers.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, PLANTS aims to strengthen partnerships among community-based school food system stakeholders working to build resilient and equitable K–12 school food supply chains. PLANTS also seeks to expand scratch cooking, which enables schools to incorporate more local foods and build healthier, more culturally inclusive meal programs.
“We received nearly 100 applications from a combined total of 360 organizations representing 123 schools and 38 states and U.S. territories,” Chef Ann Foundation Executive Director of Programs Laura Smith said. “It’s clear that many school districts across the country and their food system partners are eager to collaborate to improve the quality of the food they serve in ways that support their local communities.”
Grant recipient project partnerships:
Anchorage School District, Rural Alaska Community Action Program, The Alaska Food Company, Copper River Seafood (Alaska) – $595,423
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute, The South Portland Public School District Food Service Department, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (Maine) – $599,999
Detroit Public Schools Community District Office of School Nutrition, Keep Growing Detroit, Eastern Market Partnership, The Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (Michigan) – $600,000
New Roots Community Farm, Fayette County Schools, Sprouting Farms, West Virginia University’s Center for Resilient Communities (West Virginia) – $598,136
Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Montague Area Public Schools, Food Agriculture Research and Manufacturing Accelerator, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities (Michigan) – $597,683
North Eastern Washington Educational Service District 101, LINC Foods, Mission West Community Development Partners, Valley School District, CasaCano Farms (Washington) – $598,538
CommonWealth Kitchen, MA Farm to School, Boston Public School, Portland Public Schools (New England) – $600,000
Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Council Bluffs Community School District, Iowa St. University Extension and Outreach, Farm Table Delivery (Iowa) – $599,652
“Each project that has received an award represents an incredible array of learning opportunities, not only for the grant recipients but for local food systems everywhere,” said Sunny Baker, Senior Director of Program and Policy Farm to School Network. “What we learn from the PLANTS program will help schools and their communities enact lasting, systemic change that supports the health of kids and the health of our planet.”
Learn more about the Chef Ann Foundation’s PLANTS program and grant recipients here.
Sandeep Sapra and Jamonie Shorts hang out on a hammock surrounded by bubbles at Sun Valley Rising’s Viaduct Night Market beneath Colfax Avenue. May 14, 2022.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Taquitos, pho, a roller rink and good vibes will take over a typically unused space in the Empower Field parking lot Saturday night.
It’s the Sun Valley Viaduct Night Market, and on May 18 from 4-10 p.m., it will return for its third year with more activities for the kids, more musical performances and more local food vendors.
How did this start?
Thanks for asking.
In 2022, community leaders in Sun Valley — like folks at the Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center, Denver Streets Partnership and the West Colfax Business — sought to turn unused stadium parking into a community event space.
A kid reaches for bubbles at Sun Valley Rising’s Viaduct Night Market beneath Colfax Avenue. May 14, 2022.Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Sun Valley residents dreamed of bringing life to the area under the Colfax viaduct, which is only used during football season. Outside of that time, the space lays dormant and dank, an eye sore surrounded by warehouses and construction.
Returning local food favorites include Litto’s Taquitos, Pho King Rapidos, Powered by Besitos and vendor faves such as YAMZ World and Cultura Chocolate.
Meanwhile, check out new additions like Convivio Café, Krazy Thai Food Truck, I Love ME Gems and QUEEN + BUSY.
As for activities, the pho-eating contest is back. Rainbow Dome will also install a roller rink and offer free skate rentals.
Golden bounty from the Sun Valley Kitchen’s fry booth at the Viaduct Night Market beneath Colfax Avenue. May 14, 2022.Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Expect musical performances from Yonnas Abraham, Palace Studio Youth K-Pop Dancers and many more. Ciudad Reina and DJ Chubby Panda will also play tunes throughout the event.
Raices Brewing is bringing back the Thirst Garden featuring their own Valle Del Sol, a bright golden ale, along with non-alcoholic beers, wines and cocktails.
The Night Market will be on the south end of parking lot B under the Colfax viaduct on Saturday, May 18, from 4-10 p.m. Parking will be available off of Old West Colfax Ave.
If you’re searching for the perfect place to find local produce in Spartanburg, SC, then you’ll be delighted by the Hub City Farmers’ Market. You’ll find all kinds of local goodness, from produce to plants, from lovely vendors and makers from our community!
About Hub City Farmers’ Market
When talking to friends and acquaintances who live in Spartanburg, I’ve noticed that one particular attraction has come up repeatedly in conversation: the Hub City Farmers’ Market. This local market meets on Saturdays from April-December at Northside Harvest Park from 8 am – 12 pm. The market boasts an invigorating, exciting atmosphere with an emphasis on health, all while supporting local businesses and farms. The food and handmade goods sold there are all locally grown and produced.
In addition to the weekly market in the warmer months of the year, the Hub City Farmers’ Market has a winter market that occurs on the third Saturday of each month. The winter market runs from January through March from 11 am – 2 pm.
Shopping At The Hub City Market
We went to visit one hot Saturday in August and stopped at each vendor to check out their goods. The fruits and vegetables at the many different booths were all vibrant, healthy, and seasonal samples. Among other beautiful produce, we saw large juicy watermelons, lots of colorful peppers, gigantic Muscadine grapes, and the biggest, most juicy blackberries we’ve ever seen. In addition, to produce stands, there were vendors selling meat and dairy items, treats, and household goods.
Vendors at the Hub City Farmers’ Market change each season, and the 2024 vendors list looks fantastic!
We stopped at several booths and made purchases. Our first stop was at a local farm’s booth, where they were selling fresh goat’s milk, goat cheese, goat fudge, and beautiful, fragrant goat’s milk soaps. I purchased a wonderful lavender sage variety of soap, and my husband was pleased with his beer soap. The goat cheese and fudge we sampled were delicious and so fresh!
Our next stop was at a booth where they were running a special “Kids in the Kitchen” project. My daughter got to make a healthy snack out of local foods using celery, peanut butter, and raisins to make a cute butterfly treat. She loved it!
The following stop may have been our favorite for the day– King of Pops. This local popsicle-maker fashions divine treats made from ingredients sourced by farmers in the area. We purchased the chocolate sea salt, cookie dough, and blackberry ginger lemonade. Each of us eating our popsicles insisted that not only was ours the absolute best of the three but we also all thought they were the best popsicles we’d ever had.
Later stops we enjoyed included a coffee bar, produce farm, carpenter, seafood stand, flower shop, bakery, and pickle stand. Each stand was quaint and nicely set-up, with easy payment available through cash or tokens (purchased in place of debit). Additionally, Hub City Farmers’ Market offers a great double SNAP program that is easy to take advantage of and very beneficial.
Events at the Market
You will regularly find events at the market, including cooking demonstrations, farm-to-table meals, yoga, and more. Check out the Hub City Farmers’ Market Facebook event page to see upcoming events and preregister if required.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Market
If you visit Hub City Farmers’ Market you should plan to bring cash payment (although tokens are available for purchase if you do not have cash), reusable shopping totes, and water. Wear clothing appropriate to the season as it is held outdoors, and if you are prone to sunburn you may want to wear sunblock. If you have a baby, a baby carrier or stroller would be helpful. Also, be sure to bring a cooler for keeping your meat, dairy, and produce fresh while at the market and on the trip home.
We found our visit to Hub City Farmers’ Market to be a great, family-friendly activity. We will definitely be going back, again and again, to visit this gem in Spartanburg!
The Warehouse at Vaughn’s in Simpsonville, SC is a fantastic food hall and entertainment venue that literally has everything you need for a really fun, family night out (or date night!). We checked it out and have all the details on how to make Vaughn’s your family’s new go-to spot.
Located in downtown Simpsonville, SC, the Warehouse at Vaughn’s could not be more perfect. Honestly. There are multiple, delicious restaurants, a huge outdoor space with tables, a sand pit, and big area to play ball, nightly entertainment, and an easy, laid-back vibe that is ideal for relaxing with your family.
I’m going to go old school here and dare you to go and not want to go back the next week, and the week after that, and the week after that. It’s that good.
The Warehouse at Vaughn’s is pretty much like the name suggests except cooler. The warehouse itself consists of multiple restaurants and bars that have nearly any type of food you’re in the mood for.
Want pizza? Get some Humble Pie. Want a burger? Get a smash burger from Bourbon St. Burgers. Want fried cheese curds, a Patty Melt, or Loaded Nachos? Then the Grub Box is your spot. In the mood for a cold, craft beer? Try any number of them at the Taphouse. Or maybe you just want dessert? Yogi’s Cups & Cones is where it’s at.
The restaurants at the Warehouse at Vaughns are The TapHouse, Grub Box, Humble Pie Co., Tacos & Bla Bla Bla, Bourbon St. Burgers, Anchor Raw Bar, Yogi’s Cups & Cones, the Peanut Co., and Outlawed Ramen.
After dinner, head over to the Upstate Pinball Museum & Arcade and play all the games you want for just $10/person. No coins are required. You could easily spend a few hours here.
The Outdoor Space & Entertainment at Vaughn’s
I love a good place where you can sit outside and where there is space for kids to get their energy out before and after dinner. That’s exactly what you find at Vaughn’s. The backyard has lots of tables with umbrellas that overlook a small stage and big, grassy area. That part literally looks like a backyard. It’s awesome.
There’s a small sand pit, soccer balls, a plastic baseball bat, and some other soft toys. My girls decided to make up a new game that combined baseball with a big, soft die that they used instead of a baseball. It was awesome and we saw other kids pick it up after we started eating. They are obviously trendsetters.
Kids playing at Vaughn’s
Vaughn’s has nightly entertainment like Music Bingo on Tuesdays, Team Trivia on Wednesdays, and our favorite, Kids Eat Free on Thursdays. For a current schedule, check the Warehouse at Vaughn’s Facebook page – they usually post specials and a weekly schedule.
Ordering is the Easiest Thing Ever
Vaughn’s was recently acquired by new owners. One of the changes they made was the ordering system. You use your phone to scan the QR codes throughout the Warehouse and on the outdoor tables, which pull up the menus on your phone. You start a tab and then just order everything – beer, wine, appetizers, entrees – right from your phone. You can even share your tab with other people (think responsible teens or for a party) to make payment easier.
Once you submit your order, you’ll get a text message confirming your order and then you’ll get text messages when the different parts of your order are done.
Taphouse, Fried Cheese Curds, Grub Box at Vaughn’s
So, for example, I ordered a salad, fried cheese curds, and nachos from the Grub Box, a beer from the Taphouse, and a kids’ meal from Bourbon St. Burgers all on my phone. Everything came out pretty fast and I only had to make a couple of trips inside to pick up my orders, which were right on the counter at the restaurant.
It’s super easy and way, way better than waiting in line at each place, especially if everyone in your family wants to eat and drink at different restaurants. Waiting in line would take forever. But you don’t have to with this new system!
The ordering system currently works for all the restaurants within the Warehouse itself (a couple are outside but still part of the Warehouse), which are the TapHouse, Grub Box, Humble Pie Co., Bourbon St. Burgers, Anchor Raw Bar, and Yogi’s Cups & Cones.
There’s a water station right near The Grub Box as well, if you only want water and not any special drinks.
Kids Eat Free on Thursdays
While I already mentioned this earlier, in case you missed it, Kids Eat Free on Thursdays with a paid adult meal. If everything you’ve already read isn’t reason enough to go to the Warehouse at Vaughn’s, let this be it.
In 1896, pioneering doctor and pharmacist Sagen Ishizuka coined a Japanese philosophy called “shokuiku.” It is derived from two words that mean “eat” and “grow.”
Shokuiku encourages parents and schools to teach kids where their food comes from and how it affects our mind and body. This concept has been an integral part of Japan’s culture, and it’s a big reason why we’re home to some of the world’s healthiest children.
Japanese doctors often encourage expecting mothers to stick to a well-balanced meal style called “ichijū-sansai.” It is centered around a bowl of rice and miso soup, accompanied by a protein-focused dish, and two vegetable sides (like seaweed or mushroom) for adequate vitamins, minerals and fiber.
As kids get older, they start to learn about healthy eating habits. In 2005, the government passed the Basic Act on Shokuiku to promote shokuiku.
Some preschools have kids harvest vegetables to eat for lunch, while in elementary schools, they learn about the farms that produce vegetables, fish and other foods.
Over 95% of Japanese elementary and junior high schools have a school lunch system. Meals are planned by nutritionists, and students take an active part in the lunch serving process.
While many preschools also provide lunches, homemade bento lunches can play an important role in promoting shokuiku.
My daughter’s kindergarten teacher asks her students to talk about what’s in each other’s bento boxes. It makes lunchtime enjoyable, and children feel encouraged to try new foods — or even express dislike of certain foods — when they find them in their friends’ bento boxes.
My daughter’s bento lunch: sweet potato rice balls, hamburger steaks, sausage, boiled broccoli, cherry tomato, omelet, pineapple and barley tea
Photo: Yuko Tamura
Opting for bento lunches over fast food also allows children to get consistent servings of seasonal vegetables and fruits, while avoiding high-fat foods and food additives. Meals are often made from local, fresh ingredients, such as baked cod with sweet corn and bok choy, served with minestrone soup and a carton of milk.
I’ve found that preparing simple homemade pickles and freezing other nutritious vegetables and fruits in batches simplifies my everyday cooking.
When my daughter started kindergarten, I struggled at first with some of the rules at the school — no snacks high in sugar or fat, like chips and cookies, or caffeine.
But little tricks, like keeping a reserve of portioned meals, ensure that I can prepare nutrient-rich lunches for her, even when fresh produce is in short supply at home.
I don’t restrict my daughter’s access to fruit juices and occasional shakes. But in her words, soda is “yucky,” so I may have lucked out there.
Early on, I introduced her to barley tea, which is mineral-rich without the caffeine. It’s a popular choice among Japanese people of all ages, and a great alternative to sugary teas and flavored store-bought beverages. It helps you cut down on daily calorie intake, too.
Another way that I implement shokuiku at home is by making smoothies with fresh fruit and yogurt with my daughter. We talk about how the fruit grows and where it comes from. Experiences like this will carry her healthy eating habits today well into her future.
Yuko Tamura is a cultural translator, editor-in-chief of Japonica, and frequent bilingual contributor to The Japan Times. She holds a master’s degree in International Business Administration. Follow her work on Medium and X at @yutranslates.
As technology reshapes business expectations, some leaders are embracing change and transforming their organizations for the future. Join the CNBC Evolve Global Summit on November 2 to hear strategies to adapt, innovate and succeed in this new era of business. Buy your ticket here.
New York, Paris and Tokyo may be on your travel bucket list, but there are plenty of cities that don’t get enough credit and are well worth a visit. Underrated cities have their benefits — they can often be less crowded, more affordable, and just as interesting.
As a travel journalist for over 20 years, I recently asked 175 travel enthusiasts, experts and agents about what they think is the most underrated city to visit. The most popular answer was surprising: Bologna, Italy.
“Bologna is very up-and-coming and poised to be the new hot Italian city to visit,” says Tom Marchant, founder of luxury traveling company Black Tomato. “And as the home of Bolognese pasta, it’s a foodie mecca.”
Bologna’s many nicknames — La Rossa (the “Red,” for its red-tiled roofs), La Dotta (the “Learned,” for the ancient University of Bologna), and most famously, La Grassa (the “Fat,” for its rich cuisine) — explain the best parts of the city.
Street in Bologna with Asinelli tower in the center
Alexander Spatari
Here are the top three reasons to put Bologna on your travel list this year:
1. The food scene is unparalleled.
“[Bologna] quite possibly has the best food scene in all of Italy,” says Jeff Miller, a travel blogger at Our Passion for Travel.
Food lovers can explore the city’s open-air markets and hidden pastifici (pasta shops) and visit the restaurants that created favorites like pasta Bolognese and Tortellini.
You can also spend a day at FICO Eataly World (a.k.a. the “Disney World of food”), Bologna’s 20-acre theme park entirely dedicated to Italian cuisine.
Bologna’s food markets often tumble into the streets. Produce, cheese and wine from local farmers can be bought around the city.
Gary Yeowell | Stone | Getty Images
Or, take a day trip to the Emilia-Romagna region, where Italian gastronomy was born.
“Bologna has great access to Modena and Parma, both with famous products [like Modena prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano] named after them,” says David Hawkraven, owner of Designed Travel.
Hawkraven often sends travelers to local farms, where they can taste Modena prosciutto — which is rarely found in the U.S. — or learn about the delicate process behind authentic balsamic vinegar.
2. Its architecture and history rival other Italian cities.
It’s also home to 24 medieval stone towers, including Bologna’s most iconic landmark, the Two Towers.
The porticoes of Bologna are often covered in decorative tiles or paintings.
Julian Elliott Photography | Stone | Getty Images
Travel writer Ann-Marie Cahill says climbing the Asinelli Tower, one of the Two Towers that’s open to the public, is exactly where history buffs should start.
She also suggests visiting the unfinished San Petronio Basilica and touring the Roman ruins that run under Bologna’s library (you can also look at them through the library’s glass floors).
3. It’s convenient and accessible.
Bologna is “entirely walkable,” according to Marchant, which will save you the cost of a car rental. If you want public transit options, there is a city bus with tickets starting at just 1.30€.
Marchant says locals are friendly, and the city is generally safe, making it a comfortable vacation spot. And the average hotel room costs under $200 per night for eight months out of the year, according to travel search engine KAYAK.
Located in Northern Italy, it is convenient to travel from Bologna to other Italian hot spots. It’s only about 70 miles from Florence, 95 miles from Venice and 135 miles from Milan.
San Diego, California, April 12, 2016 (Newswire.com)
– In April, SoilSurfer.com was launched with the intent to unite urban farmers with urban landowners, anywhere. The mission: Help support positive environmental change and economic growth in cities, by making it easier for urban farmers and property owners to connect.
The project is the brainchild of Reginald Blackledge, a California-based designer who took on Soil Surfer as a creative pursuit in his free time. Coming from a family of farmers and ranchers, Blackledge wants to bring the experience of farming to those without land.
Using a peer-to-peer “community” marketplace, Soil Surfer aims to ignite interest in urban farming to a global audience, and lets urban property owners get paid seamlessly through its platform. The new service has the potential to lower the barrier of entry for both urban farmers, and property owners, by providing a simple platform that anyone with an Internet connection can use.
While urban farming and collaborative consumption are becoming more popular, the barriers to entry may be preventing wider participation. For example, there is no standardized process for garden-space sharing transactions. And, while conventional methods might work in some neighborhoods, the process is not always clear, and may be confusing for people just starting out.
Soil Surfer has a member rating system, meaning that landowners can review feedback about a particular urban farmer, and, likewise, urban farmers can read reviews about other farmers experiences with a landowner. This two-way review feature is intended to encourage transparency, and reward good behavior.
With any arrangement between two or more parties, there is legal and liability issues to consider; however, Blackledge says, “Today, people can rent anything from surfboards to private jets, so I don’t think renting a spot in someone’s yard is too much of a far fetched idea.” Regardless, the website encourages members to play it safe and check with state, local and community policy about urban farming and land use, as well as their insurance coverage.
“There’s likely millions of acres of unproductive urban and peri-urban land that could be used for local food production, and reducing our carbon footprint is only one of the many benefits,” says Blackledge. He thinks that Soil Surfer has the potential to bring urban farming into the mainstream, and will be a win for urban farmers, landowners, communities, and the environment.
Anyone interested in participating, as a property owner or urban farmer, can visit the Soil Surfer’s website at https://www.SoilSurfer.com.
