PIPESTEM, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks will launch the first in a series of Farm to Table events in the state park dining facilities for the summer. The initial meal will be Thursday night at Pipestem Resort State Park. As the name implies, it will feature only foods grown and or produced in the Mountain State.
“There’s no better place to feature West Virginia made products but in a West Virginia State Park,” said Paul Redford, District Administrator for the Lodge and Resort Parks in West Virginia. “We’re allowing our guests and local visitors to come to a state park and enjoy what is made locally in the state of West Virginia.”
The Farm to Table meals are an extension of what the State Parks are already doing according to Redford who said they are attempting to provide as many West Virginia products as possible throughout the park system.
“We have in our guest rooms local hand made soap, shampoo and conditioner. We have bottled water bottled right at the source in Berkeley Springs,” he explained. “We buy mattresses from Imperial Bedding in Huntington and all of our coffee we serve in all of our restaurants is roasted in the state of West Virginia.”
Future Farm to Table meals are planned at other parks throughout the summer. The schedule includes meals at Cacapon, Chief Logan, Blackwater Falls, Hawks Nest, North Bend, Holly River, and Cass State Parks. Guests will probably be surprised at just how much of a meal comes from the Mountain State.
“It’s all very high quality,” said Redford. “There are several courses that will start with a salad, a main entree with a lot of great sides, and of course desserts are sourced and provided by local facilities. We’re even serving local wines and craft beers as well.”
Those interested can find out more here.