Food tours
Food tours
Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington State
See where your food comes from! If a place you want to visit is not listed here, call anyway to ask about a tour; some will make a special accommodation upon request. Also, call or go to the Web site to double-check details, because requirements vary and things can change.
If you know a place that produces food and allows public tours, let us know so we can add it to the list. Send e-mail to Yummy Northwest.
|| Idaho || Montana || Oregon || Washington ||
Gooding
Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese
For a small fee you get an hour tour of the farm. For a slightly larger fee you can learn to make cheese. If you just don't want to leave, you can stay overnight. (208) 934-4972.
Big Sandy, Moccasin, and Stanford
Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) 2008 Farm Tours
Learn about "sustainable and organic farming practices applicable on Montana farms and ranches."
Central Montana
Central Montana Ag Tour - October 1-2, 2008. (406) 535-5436.
Various areas of Montana
Montana Bunkhouses Working Ranch Vacations
Forget wimpy dude ranches. Through this program you stay with hard-working ranchers who show you what it's really like to work the range. You're on vacation, so you can choose to sit around the ranch house all day with your feet up or help with the chores, but whatever you do, take the opportunity to ask questions about our nation's food supply. These folks know what's going on.
Hearty meals included. (Vegetarian options.)
Aurora
Pacific Hazelnut Candy Factory
The first hazelnut tree in Oregon was planted in 1857, and now, according to this candy company's Web site, "98% of all hazelnuts grown in the United States are from our lush Willamette Valley in Western Oregon."
Self-guided tours at the observation windows. Samples. (800) 634-7344.
Grants Pass
This company began in 2001 with a family English toffee recipe.
Self-guided tours at the observation window. (888) 822-9300.
Hood River
All sorts of wonderful food-related things happen along this 35-mile agricultural route in Hood River County, just east of Portland. Check the Web site for map information and a calendar of events.
Medford
You can buy their products online, but why not go to the source and enjoy fresh pears from their orchard, and Moose Munch popcorn, petits fours, fruit and nut mixes, and all the other good things made with pride.
Daily tours at 9:15 a.m.; $5 (includes $5 coupon for store merchandise plus free chocolate).
(877) 322-8000.
Portland
Franz Family Bakeries (corporate name is United States Bakery)
Open in Portland since 1906, this is now the largest family-owned bakery west of the Mississippi.
Tours for groups during the school year. (503) 232-2191 ext. 4365.
Tillamook
This farmer-owned co-op is almost 100 years old and listens to what customers say about the hormone-free dairy products they make.
Open daily for self-guided tours at the observation windows. Samples. (503) 815-1300.
Bellingham
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are the best days to see production of organic whole grains into flour. Call to make arrangements for your tour; individuals or groups of up to about 10 are welcome. Samples upon request. (360) 734-9947.
Bow
Seasonal activities make a farm visit fun. Or stay at their guest house, enjoy the complimentary organic cheese gift basket, and tour the farm while you're there. (360) 766-6707.
Carnation
Self-guided Spring and Fall Harvest tours. (425) 333-4135 ext 5.
Cashmere
Call ahead to be sure you see the production line working as they make fruity Aplets & Cotlets coated in powdered sugar or chocolate, with nuts or without. Samples. (800) 888-5696.
Ferndale
All visitors, including tour groups, are welcome to watch cheese made by hand. Kids can help with farm chores, like feeding calves or moving irrigation pipes. Open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Samples. Call (360) 312-1431.
Issaquah
Self-guided tours at the observation windows any time; guided tours through the factory, chalet, and chapel by appointment during the summer. If you can't go in person, order a DVD that explains the chocolate-making process. No samples. (425) 392-6652.
Montesano
While in the shop on the farm, peek through the windows to see the area where they make farmstead cheese from what look like very happy cows and goats. Samples. (360) 249-6541.
Olympia
Lattin's Country Cider Mill and Farm
Open all year. You can buy farm-fresh food during all seasons, but be sure to try the award-winning apple cider. Saturday is apple fritter day. (360) 491-7328.
see farm animals and drink cider at Lattin's Country Cider Mill and Farm
Pataha
Go back in time to see a 19th-century mill in Eastern Washington. The XXX brand produced here was the first patented flour. You can see their branded flour sacks in old Bugs Bunny cartoons.
Self-guided tours. Call for hours. (509) 843-3799. There are no samples, but enjoy lunch in the café, where prices are by donation only.
Seattle
Visit one of 11 chocolate makers - and the only roaster of organic cocoa beans - in the United States. Learn about the origin, roasting process, and tastes of chocolate.
Tours daily at 11 a.m.; $5. Generous samples. (206) 632-5100.
Skagit Valley
Skagit Valley Farm Tour: "A Festival of Family Farms" - October 4-5, 2008. (360) 428-4270.
Copyright 2003-2008 Mary Rosewood. All rights reserved.