Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and at Piedmont Fresh we believe your holiday table should do more than satisfy — it should tell a story. A story of flavor, care, and community, built from ingredients grown and made right here in the Piedmont. When you choose local farms and makers, you’re investing in more than taste. You’re supporting your neighbors, nurturing the regional economy, and reducing the environmental footprint of your food. Studies show that locally sourced foods often have more nutrients and flavor since they’re harvested at peak ripeness — not trucked in from hundreds of miles away. Local food systems keep dollars close to home and farmland thriving for generations to come.
So, this Thanksgiving, let your table be a celebration of the people and places that make the Piedmont delicious. Begin your meal with a true Southern classic: Rabble & Rise Baking Co.’s Pimento Cheese. Rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced, it’s delicious spread on warm pretzels or crackers — but don’t stop there. Pair it with fresh local veggies like crisp celery sticks, broccoli florets, or carrot slices for a lighter, farm-fresh twist on an old favorite. It’s the perfect way to ease into the holiday feast while the turkey roasts and the kitchen fills with the scent of garlic and butter.
No Thanksgiving table is complete without the sides, and this year, make yours shine with local flavor. Deviled eggs made with Sunflower Hill Farm LLC’s fresh eggs are a must — there’s nothing quite like the taste of truly farm-fresh eggs. For a creamy, indulgent side, whip up cheesy garlic mashed potatoes using Sunflower Hill Farm garlic and SandyCreek Farm’s Ashe County Mountain Marble Cheese. Add a little Southern comfort with green beans and baked beans cooked in Crossings Farm bacon, and round it out with corn on the cob slathered in SandyCreek Farm Ashe County Butter. Each dish tells a story of the people and farms that make our region unique — a connection that turns every bite into something meaningful.
Now for the main event — the Thanksgiving turkey. Pre-order your bird through Piedmont Fresh to make sure your centerpiece is pasture-raised and full of rich, authentic flavor. Local turkeys tend to roast faster and stay juicier, offering a depth of taste that’s hard to match with store-bought options. Complete your spread with a loaf of Rabble & Rise Baking Co.’s fresh-baked sourdough bread, perfect for soaking up gravy or stacking with leftovers for next-day sandwiches.
When it’s time for dessert, look no further than the creations from Rabble & Rise or SandyCreek Farm. A cozy slice of Fig Sweet Bread or one of their other local desserts pairs beautifully with a steaming cup of coffee from Bush Hill Coffee Co. — the perfect ending to a meal that’s all about warmth, community, and gratitude. And for an extra special touch, try making your own homemade stuffing with shiitake mushrooms grown by SandyCreek Farm. Their earthy, rich flavor brings a little forest magic to your holiday table and makes every bite feel like fall.
Choosing local isn’t just about great taste — it’s about gratitude. Every ingredient from a Piedmont Fresh vendor supports small farms, reduces waste, and keeps our food system vibrant and sustainable. Locally grown foods are fresher and often more nutritious. Every dollar spent with a local farm stays in the community, strengthening small businesses and creating jobs. Fewer miles from farm to fork means fewer emissions and less packaging waste. And perhaps most importantly, you know who grew your garlic, who churned your butter, and who collected your eggs — there’s real comfort in that kind of connection. Supporting local farms also helps preserve farmland, ensuring the next generation can enjoy the same abundance and beauty that we do today.
This Thanksgiving, let your gratitude extend from your heart to your plate. Order your local ingredients today through the Piedmont Fresh Online Market and build a holiday feast rooted in community, craftsmanship, and flavor. From pimento cheese to pumpkin pie, every dish can be a celebration of the farmers and makers who make the Piedmont home. Farm-fresh. Full of love. Unforgettably local.