“Broth is the new coffee”, says Renee Savary, owner of Twin Oaks Farm in Bonifay, Florida, and the new Twin Oaks FarmStand in the Shops of Grayton Beach.
Though Swiss born Renee is a very successful “farmher” with incredible French style and showcases her handcrafted jams, jellies, fresh organic eggs, chickens, turkeys, brines, vinegars and more at the Seaside Farmers Market in Seaside, Florida on Saturday’s year round, a full array of locally sourced organic and specialty products are available at the FarmStand, along with a menu that changes daily.
I enjoyed sitting at a small bistro table by the window with my French press of coffee and onion with potato daily special frittata, so warm, cozy and feeling like I was back in Provence. Renee is a powerful, passionate and talented woman, farmer and cook, as well as a joy to converse with. We discussed her new FarmStand concept and she explained, ” The frittata you are eating of course is made with Twin Oaks Farm eggs, the #1 best eggs in the country according to Cornucopia Institute! The potato & onion as well as the spinach & kale are in high demand. In the summer they will be filled with zucchini, tomatoes, green beans and other seasonal ingredients.” Diners are also loving the power packed protein egg sandwich served on Renee’s own daily fresh baked bread and the French omelet made with seasonal herbs.
Renee brought me a warm cup of turkey broth and we discussed her new line of refrigerated and frozen artisan items. She stated, “The broth we have is chicken, turkey and beef. We also have fresh to frozen items including all kinds of good for you things, like soup, turkey in red wine, turkey curry, turkey and mushroom sauce, turkey and Mexican Mole made with red chili (not chocolate), whole chickens, and fresh to frozen herbs from my garden in Bonifay, so you can have them at your fingertips anytime!”
More great news is that the FarmStand is collaborating with Working Cows Dairy serving milk that is certified organic. Renee hand crafts organic plain yogurt with the milk as well as farm cheese, saying, “There is no pectin or junk you find in other yogurt in ours!”
The beautiful white bookcases lining the walls of the Twin Oaks FarmStand are impeccably filled with a bevy of items directly created with Twin Oaks Farm ingredients such as Swiss Hot Chocolate mix, canned Caramelized Onions. Tomato Basil Sauce, soap, even Renee’s own honey. Renee says, “The honey sold at The FarmStand is small production. I do not feed my bees at all and only collect honey in the spring allowing for the bees to survive during the rest of the year. There are no pesticides. All of the money raised from the honey goes to buying more bees and hives. The bees on the farm are for the well being of the farm. It is for the good of the farm, not to make money.”
Seating is available inside and outside on the patio, and Renee has incredible plans for farm to table dinners inspired by her products. She plans to create the menus and cook the cuisine in a family style setting, later incorporating local chefs that also use her products in their restaurants.
Though not available yet, Renee has had her hands in a new business of hog farming. “They are called “Big Black Hogs” and are a heritage breed that can only be pasture raised. By this summer I will have a constant supply of pork! The flavor is amazing, and I was not even raised eating pork, but could tell right away it was good!” said Renee.
The Twin Oaks FarmStand is open from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week and is located at 26 Logan Lane in the Shops of Grayton, Grayton Beach just north of 30A. You can reach Twin Oaks Farm by calling (850) 547-5636 or via their website at http://www.twinoaksfarm.net/
Susan Benton is a food and travel journalist and the owner of 30AEATS.com where she writes about local chefs, restaurants, fishermen, producers and the secrets of Gulf Coast food. She is publishing a cookbook about the South Walton area and restaurants in 2015.
