(NOTE: The Farmery closed for the season in November 2017 and does not currently have plans to reopen.)
A food airstream trailer called The Farmery opened earlier this month in downtown Durham, and it’s committed to redefining the meaning of fresh and making their standard of fresh the new norm.
The Farmery grows the greens and herbs themselves in an onsite farm, while the other produce comes from eastern North Carolina. The chicken is from Prestige Farms in Charlotte and the chorizo comes from Firsthand Foods, based in Durham. They use the freshest ingredients possible and make a point to ensure everything is free of preservatives.Their menu includes dishes like the Earth First Flatbread, with lots of fresh greens, cashew “cheese,” sweet potatoes, pickled onion, and olive tapenade, served on top of flatbread.Also, pictured below, is the Mediterranean Flatbread, with chicken, mushroom and olive tapenade, cheese, and sun dried tomatoes, along with the Herb’s Chicken Salad Wrap, filled with chorizo, pesto, greens, sun dried tomatoes, carrots, parmesan, and pepitas.All the dishes on the menu are from The Farmery’s own recipes, which they developed using ingredients that they could conceivably grow in an indoor farm, so the food could be harvested and served on the same day. Because everything is locally sourced or grown on site, the food is fresh and everything packs flavor.
The Farmery, in addition to being committed to local and sustainable ingredients, offers a healthy alternative to the greasy fare that is typically found from food trucks, while making no compromises when it comes to taste.
They strive to put a healthy spin on the traditional way of making their dishes and ingredients. For example, their pesto recipe omits the pine nuts and the soy sauce they use is a special miso-tamari blend.
Another example is their Caesar Meets Demeter salad bowl, which is notably much lighter than traditional Caesar salad recipes. It’s a delicious take on a classic: filled with greens, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, and a pickled egg, topped with their chicken salad or chickpea salad, whichever you prefer. Their other salads also feature interesting ingredients, like mizuna, see-through noodles, kimchi, cashew-miso cheese and chimichurri.“Customers seem surprised when they find out that a restaurant with a vegan friendly menu would be filling, savory and satisfying,” says Ben Greene, founder of The Farmery. “I think we are showing people that eating healthy can be a tastier and more fulfilling way to eat. Healthy flavors are more complex and interesting if the ingredients are fresh and the recipes are designed well.”
The Farmery was originally located in RTP, but moved their operation to Durham in July and is now open at 326 W. Geer Street, near Fullsteam Brewery and Motorco Music Hall. They will host a grand opening party on Friday, July 21, 5-9pm.
“Durham is a wonderful place with a creative culture that we feel like we fit into,” Greene said. “The tobacco architecture gives the city a sense of place. It’s being developed by very creative real estate developers and we’re excited for the future of Durham!”
They hope to become a more permanent part of the city as they search for a brick and mortar location…hopefully in Durham or nearby.Photos: Tommie Watson Photography
Article contributed by Leah Asmelash, editorial intern with Bites of Bull City
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