This article is presented in partnership with Visit Columbia.
Are you having fun with your food? Columbians are, and you will, too, when you visit these delish destinations for foodies.
It’s a sure bet you’ll find locally grown, just-picked vegetables at the Columbia Farmers Market, but there’s much more to enjoy. Fresh, healthy vegetables taste even better when you’ve had a chance to chat with the people who nurtured your purchase from a seed to your salad. Treat yourself to a leisurely stroll through the market and discover herbs, flowers, baked goods, meats—it’s a gourmand’s dream come true. Speaking of dreams, the long-awaited Columbia’s Agriculture Park, home to the market and featuring the MU Health Care Pavilion, will open late May at 1769 West Ash.
The Boone County Farmers Market has been supplying a wide array of home-grown and homemade products since it was founded in 2003. The Saturday-morning market sets up in the parking lot of the Columbia Mall, and features fruits and vegetables, hardy plants, eggs, preserves, baked goods, meats and more. The friendly vendors are understandably proud of the products they’ve put so much effort into producing and are delighted to share information and serving suggestions.
This isn’t your grandmother’s Root Cellar! Columbia’s Root Cellar, located at 1005 Park Avenue, is fully stocked with Missouri-made food products. By filling your basket with high-quality, locally grown produce and artisan-made products, you’re supporting family farms and small businesses. Treat yourself to food that’s a cut above standard fare.
Cheese made from goat’s milk is typically lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than cow’s milk cheese, but connoisseurs of goat cheese love it simply because it tastes so good! Cheese-craving mid-Missourians are lucky to have Goatsbeard Farm just down the road. Sustainability is central to the business plan at Goatsbeard Farm, the 80-acre home to a herd of about 50 goats. The TLC the goats receive shows in the amount of milk they produce and the high quality cheese that results. The farm does not give tours, but look for Goatsbeard Farm cheese at the Columbia Farmers Market, at select local grocers and on the menu at some of the city’s finest restaurants.
Berries don’t get any fresher than the ones you pick yourself. Rocheport’s Blue Shepherd Far is a u-pick operation specializing in blueberries and strawberries. You won’t be fighting a crowd of berry pickers when you go to Blue Shepherd Farm, because picking is by appointment only and limited to five people at a time. Relax in the peaceful natural surroundings, fill your bucket with berries, then take your harvest home to enjoy in some blueberry muffins or strawberry shortcake. Be sure to sign up for the farm’s email alerts to be among the first to know when picking season begins. While you’re at the farm, take time to admire the beautiful, exotic Black Welsh Mountain sheep.
Barred Owl Butcher & Table gets to the meat of the matter with the succulent offerings on its restaurant menu and in its on-site butcher shop at 47 E. Broadway. The Barred Owl’s skilled butchers vow to make the most of every cut of meat. Among the exceptional offerings in the retail shop are steaks, roasts, sausages, broths, smoked meats, and an impressive variety of condiments, wines and cheeses. Combining time-honored techniques, modern practices, and good old-fashioned customer service, the Barred Owl is bringing the butcher shop back in vogue.
