Give Thanks To Local Business

Time to put on your turkey pants, it’s Thanksgiving in Lake Hartwell Country! Whether you are traveling to visit family and friends, or staying right here in the Upstate, we put together a great list of vendors and local spots to gather farm fresh ingredients, and gifts to bring for the whole family.

First things first, let’s start with the star of the show, the turkey. If you aren’t an avid turkey hunter and plan on preparing your own bird, head over to Patient Wait Farms in Piedmont. First-generation farmers, Gail and Mike Cooley, proudly offer heritage poultry and heirloom produce at their animal welfare-approved farm. Holiday turkeys and pasture-raised livestock are available for on-farm pickup and by pre-order only. Give them a call to reserve your bird!

If you live near the Anderson area, there are a few places to get farm fresh produce. Concord Market offers a wide variety of vegetables, local eggs, ears of corn, freshly baked pies, homemade ice cream, and bread. In November, you can still find great heirloom pumpkins and flowers to bring as a gift or for decoration. Another great local market is Walker Century Farms, also located in Anderson. Partnered with Providence Farm, they sell 100% grass-fed beef, pork, and chicken. You can purchase local cheeses from Happy Cow and Split Creek, raw and pasteurized milk from Southern Oaks Jerseys, and Timms Mill grits and corn meal, in the grocery section.

Walker Century Farms sells wonderful local gifts and kitchenware, like handmade candles, greeting cards, and stunning pots and pans. It’s a great place to support multiple local businesses all under one roof.

If you are closer to the Pickens and Oconee area, you may want to stop by Mile Creek Farms Market. Farmer-owned and operated, they offer pesticide-free, farm-fresh goodness straight to your table. You can order boxes of seasonal vegetables or ready-to-make dinners to pick up, or homemade sauces and jams, directly from their online store. They even sell all-natural dog treats and toys for your furry friends.

Growing Green Family Farms is another local farm that serves the Upstate. You can find their produce at the Clemson Area Food Exchange, The Farmacy, or order online for pick up at an area closest to you. They sell a variety of herbs needed for all your thanksgiving prep, microgreens to take your dish to the next level, and a variety of local teas and coffee beans for an after-dinner treat.

It's important that we support our local farmers and craftsmen in our communities. Especially during the holidays. Without all the hard-working farmers, we wouldn’t have the bounty of beautiful produce to choose from. Without our local artists and small businesses, we wouldn’t have the most unique and thoughtful gifts to give to others. This season let’s support our communities by choosing local, first. If you visit any of these vendors or farms, let us know by tagging @lakehartwellcountry in your posts.

From all of us at Lake Hartwell Country, we hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!