FREE SHIPPING STARTING AT $175

Farm-to-Table in Three Rivers

written by

Daryn Pobanz

posted on

September 9, 2024

A Farm-to-Table Evening at The Kent Eatery

In August, Renee had the pleasure of attending a special farm-to-table dinner at The Kent Eatery in Three Rivers, MI. It was a night filled with good food, great company, and a celebration of local farms like ours, Jake's Country Meats, alongside Corey Lake Orchards and Bankston Lake Farms. The meal featured our pasture-raised chicken, along with fresh produce from these neighboring farms, all coming together to create a memorable dining experience.

IMG_9029.jpg

What is Farm-to-Table?

A farm-to-table meal is all about bringing fresh, local ingredients straight from the farm to the dining table. It celebrates local agriculture by connecting diners directly with the source of their food, promoting sustainability, supporting local farmers, and often highlighting the natural flavors of ingredients grown and raised right in our community. At its core, it's a movement that values knowing where your food comes from and enjoying it at its peak of freshness.

Our Connection with Corey Lake Orchards

We were proud to have our chicken featured in the meal, but it was even more special to share the event with longtime friends and partners, Corey Lake Orchards. The owner, Beth Hubbard, has been a strong advocate for local food and farming for years, and our partnership with them has deep roots. Corey Lake Orchards carries Jake's meats in their farm stand, making it easy for their customers to enjoy our pasture-raised meats alongside their incredible selection of fruits, vegetables, and baked goods. We've also sold their apples, corn, and squash at The Meat Shed and through our Meat Drops over the years.

Our collaboration with Corey Lake Orchards goes beyond just business. A few years ago, to celebrate the Michigan Apple Crunch, an event promoting local agriculture to school kids, we fed our pigs with hundreds of pounds their apples. It’s these kinds of meaningful connections that make working together so valuable—not just for us as farmers, but for the whole community.

20191009_100536.jpg

Celebrating Local Connections

Events like these remind us why we do what we do. It's not just about raising great meats or being part of a food system; it's about the relationships and stories we build along the way. We’re thankful to work alongside partners like Corey Lake Orchards and Bankston Lake Farms, and to be part of such a vibrant local food community. Whether it’s through a farm-to-table dinner, a collaboration at the farm stand, or a fun event like the Michigan Apple Crunch, these connections make all the difference.

Stay Connected with Local Farms

If you're ever in the Three Rivers area, be sure to visit The Kent Eatery, Corey Lake Orchards, and Bankston Lake Farms to experience local food at its best. And, of course, keep an eye out for future events where you can enjoy a true farm-to-table meal featuring Jake’s Country Meats. We hope to see you there, sharing the love of local food with friends and family.

IMG_8298.JPG

More from the blog

When Life Gives You Turkey...

When Life Gives You Turkey...

We are picking up our latest creation from the farm’s bounty today. Real nourishing bone broth made from our pastured turkeys. This broth is made by simmering turkey backs and turkey feet with a medley of local vegetables. We are left with turkey backs after breaking down the whole carcass into pieces like wings, legs, breasts, and thighs. Our farm relies on utilizing the whole animal in order to maintain sustainability. Turkey backs and feet are generally used to create healthy bone broths, or can also be used to fuel a raw dogfood diet. The strong hands that crafted this broth are from our friends and long-time wholesale partners at Sauce and Bread Kitchen. Why bone broth? Not all broth is created the same, and it starts with what goes into the pot. When you simmer bones slowly over time, especially joints, feet, and connective tissue, you begin to draw out the deeper nutrients that aren’t found in a quick stock. Collagen, gelatin, minerals; the kind of nourishment that comes from using the whole animal, the way it was traditionally done. You’ll notice the difference right away. A true bone broth has body to it. When chilled, it gels. That’s a sign of the natural collagen that supports joints, skin, and overall recovery, especially this time of year as we come out of winter. But just as important as how it’s made is where it comes from. Our turkeys are raised outdoors, on pasture, moving, foraging, living the way they’re meant to. That life translates into stronger bones, healthier fat composition, and ultimately a broth that carries more depth; both in flavor and in nourishment. Compare that to most grocery store broths, where the source is often unknown, the cooking process is shortened, and the final product is diluted to hit a price point. It serves a purpose, but it’s not the same. This is slower. More intentional. Made from animals you know, raised on a farm you trust. Something you can sip on its own, or use as a base to bring real flavor and nourishment into your meals.

Read more
When Spring Hits Hard On The Farm🌱

When Spring Hits Hard On The Farm🌱

Spring doesn’t ease in around here, it shows up all at once. What looks like a simple change in season is actually a full reset on the farm. There’s work waiting in every direction, new life showing up, and a few surprises we didn’t plan for. We wrote a bit about what this past month has really looked like behind the scenes. If you’ve ever wondered what spring actually feels like on a working farm, this one’s worth a read.

Read more
Spring Turkey Update?

Spring Turkey Update?

Once a year, we process our pasture-raised turkeys into a limited batch of ground turkey. The birds are raised outdoors with room to forage, which leads to better nutrition and flavor. This is a seasonal product, available only while it lasts, and it’s packaged and frozen to hold quality long term. If you’re looking to stock up on a reliable, high-quality staple, now is the time.

Read more
Return To Top

Jake's Country Meats

  • 55721 Decatur Rd
    Cassopolis MI 49031
  • 269-445-3020
Terms of Service