At Avalon Catering, we believe exceptional food starts with exceptional ingredients. That’s why we’re proud to partner with some of the most dedicated farmers and vendors in our community.
From vibrant seasonal produce to sustainably-raised meats and delicious coffees, each of our partners plays a vital role in bringing fresh, flavorful ingredients to your table. These hardworking friends share our commitment to quality, sustainability, and supporting local agriculture.
In this post, you’ll discover some of the people and places behind the ingredients we love!
Our Favorite
A 12-acre USDA Certified Organic Farm growing 50+ types of fruits & vegetables in Winterville, GA.
Just outside of Athens, GA, Woodland Gardens is a year-round farm that focuses on specialty production for chefs and markets.
Established in 2000, the farm is led by Celia Barss, along with a skilled team of farmers.
In addition to organic farming techniques, the team uses heated greenhouses and high tunnels to improve produce quality and extend the growing season. Woodland Gardens also prioritizes the health of their soil by constantly rotating and cover cropping fields.
You can find Woodland Gardens’ produce at the Atlanta Freedom Farmers Market at on Saturdays from March through December. Plus, find cooking inspiration with recipes from the farm!
Growing certified organic produce, plants, flowers, and community in Mansfield, GA.
Founded in 2008 by Joe Reynolds and Judith Winfrey, Love is Love Farm set out to show that young farmers without land could build a thriving operation rooted in sustainability.
In 2018, Joe and Judith joined forces with Monica Ponce, Russell Honderd, and Demetrius Milling to collectively expand this vision. By 2021, Love is Love Farm transitioned to a worker-owned cooperative on 70 acres in Mansfield, GA—land they plan to own through The Working Farms Fund.
To join the Love is Love CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, sign up for their waitlist here! Memberships are offered on a rolling basis as they become available, with pick-up locations in Decatur & Mansfield.
A family-owned American Humane Certified™ chicken farm in Baldwin, GA.
Tucked away in the hills of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Springer Mountain Farms is dedicated to providing their chickens with a quality life and healthy diet. Fed 100% U.S.-grown corn and soybeans, the chickens at Springer Mountain Farms are raised with care and respect.
At Springer Mountain Farms, chickens live in comfortable houses with an unlimited supply of clean water and food—plus plenty of fresh air and room to roam.
Order Springer Mountain Farms products online, including a selection of chicken breasts, thighs, wings, nuggets, whole chickens, and more. You can also find their frozen products in select local retailers.
A family-owned creamery producing high-quality, humane handcrafted cheeses in Thomasville, GA.
After 15 years of conventional dairy farming, Al and Desiree Wehner transitioned in 1993 to a humane, grass-fed farming approach where “cows could be cows,” thriving on natural grazing. Then, in 2000, Sweet Grass Dairy was born out of Desiree’s vision to showcase their rich, grass-fed milk through handcrafted cheeses.
Today, the cheesemaking part of the business is owned and led by their daughter, Jessica, and son-in-law, Jeremy. Sweet Grass Dairy remains committed to their award-winning cheeses and a humane, family-centered farming legacy.
Order and gift Sweet Grass cheese through their online shop, including their creamy yet crumbly Asher Blue cheese, mouthwatering Pimento Cheese (made with pementón from Spain!), tangy and sweet Georgia Gouda, and more.
Plus, stop by their restaurant on your next trip to Thomasville. While cheese is the star of the show, their menu offers a variety of standout dishes for all palates.
Heritage breed pork, grassfed beef, organic row crops, and heirloom corn products in Ranger, GA.
Owned and operated by Wes and Charlotte Swancy, this organic family farm in Northwest Georgia produces heritage breed pork, grassfed beef, organic produce, and heirloom corn grits, cornmeal, and polenta.
Riverview Farms shares that on their 600-acre grounds, “Animals happily roam in the fresh air of the pastures, forests, and swamps of their home, every day.” With a focus on organic farming, regenerative practices, and soil quality, the farm has been in the Swancy family’s care since the 1970s. It was certified organic in 2000, and today the farm operates as a closed-loop ecosystem.
Wes and Charlotte have been deeply rooted in Atlanta’s local food and farm-to-table movements for decades, having served on the boards of Georgia Organics, Slow Food Atlanta, and Community Farmers Markets. They’ve also hosted educational community events, started FarmMobile (the first mobile farmers market truck in the Southeast), and helped form the Grant Park and Freedom Farmers Markets.
You can find Riverview Farms offerings at Atlanta farmers markets and join their produce and meat CSA subscriptions with pickup locations around metro Atlanta.
Gourmet
Anson Mills
Artisan mill goods from organic heirloom grains, produced with care in Columbia, SC.
Anson Mills was founded by Glenn Roberts with a mission to revive heirloom grains. Their team focuses on traditional farming practices, emphasizing quality, flavor, and sustainable land stewardship.
After serving in the Air Force and going on a myriad of adventures around the world, Roberts’ passion for food and work in the restaurant industry led him to the farm. Through his own culinary needs, he discovered a need in the market for high-quality heirloom grain production, to keep these grains’ legacies alive and on our plates.
Today, Anson Mills grows rare varieties that are stone-milled for exceptional quality. Their team honors agricultural heritage while producing unique, flavorful offerings for ingredient-consicous chefs and food enthusiasts alike.
Shop their grits, popping corn, cornmeal, polenta, rice, flour, and more – and explore recipes – on Anson Mills’ website.
DaySpring Farms
A USDA Certified Organic family farm Danielsville, GA.
Founded by Murray and Paula Brett in 2011, DaySpring Farms produces high-quality, sustainably grown grains, including wheat and corn products processed on-site through their own mill.
Located north of Athens, GA, their mission centers on providing fresh, organic flours and grains that support health, sustainability, and community well-being.
Browse the DaySprings Farms online store for high-quality flours, cornmeal, stone-ground grits, polenta, cream peas, and more. They also offer bulk products for local pickup.
Products & More
A family-owned sustainable farm cultivating gourmet shiitake & oyster mushrooms in Ellijay, GA.
On 71 acres in the foothills of the Appalachia Mountains, Ellijay Mushrooms is a Certified CCOF Organic farm growing premium shiitake and oyster varieties.
Co-owned by Howard Berk and Megan Cai, the farm began in 2018. Today, it’s home to ten greenhouses and two oyster mushroom houses.
One eco-friendly touch we love: they use packaging made with 100% recycled materials!
Visit the Ellijay Mushrooms online shop to order mushrooms for pickup in Brookhaven and Ellijay, mushroom subscriptions for delivery, mushroom-themed gifts, and more.
You can also swing by the farm store on your next trip to Ellijay!
A nonprofit regional wholesale distributor connecting communities with sustainable local food.
The Common Market is a network of regional hubs on a mission to distribute high-quality local foods from sustainable family farms and producers.
Since 2008, they’ve supplied ingredients for health and earth-conscious organizations including caterers, universities, care facilities, and more. Their work helps create a supply chain for farmers and ranchers working to create a sustainable food movement.
Learn more about The Common Market here.
Georgia’s first and only 100% fair trade, organic specialty coffee company, located in Americus, GA.
Founded in 1998, Café Campesino is a cooperative coffee importer, roaster, wholesaler, distributor, and retailer. The company’s name comes from the Spanish translation of “coffee from a small farmer.” Their small-batch arabica roasts bring depth and flavor to our menus – a favorite pick-me-up for guests!
Café Campesino is a Certified B Corporation and a member of the Fair Trade Federation, Specialty Coffee Association, and Georgia Organics. Through their “principle-driven supply chain,” Cooperative Coffees, they proudly import beans directly from small farming communities they’ve known for years.
Purchase beans through Café Campesino’s online shop to amp up your morning cup. They also offer tea, coffee accessories, and merch.
At Avalon Catering, we’re grateful for the partnerships we’ve built with these incredible farmers and vendors who share our dedication to quality and sustainability. Together, we’re proud to bring you food that’s not only delicious but also supports our local community and the land we call home.
