The Kitchen

We are so fortunate to have a direct source of summer bounty in our dining hall. All of our meals are scratch made and prepared with produce from Hawthorne Valley or other ethical, sustainable and organic sources, often from within Columbia County. We eat our meals family-style, around tables set with table cloths and flower vases. We are a mostly vegetarian kitchen, providing essential proteins through eggs, legumes, grains, vegetables, tofu, and other sources. Often, campers will have some kind of direct connection to the food- either harvesting it and delivering to our kitchen staff, or working in the kitchen itself to help prepare the meals for the whole camp.


Farm Camp Cookbooks are available for purchase when you apply for camp. You can also order a Farm Camp Cookbook HERE!

 
 
 

Overnight Farm Camp Sample Menus

  • Oatmeal, homemade granola, fresh fruit, hardboiled eggs, local maple syrup, herbal garden tea with honey, organic milk

    • Vegetarian stir-fry made with seasonal organic veggies, fluffy brown rice, crispy tofu, homemade teriyaki sauce

    • Burritos with rice, beans, veggies, and cheese. Served with roasted sweet potatoes and Hawthorne Valley quark sauce

    • Homemade mac & cheese with roasted garlic broccoli

    All lunches are served with fresh salad, Hawthorne Valley sauerkraut, and homemade dressing.

    • Minestrone soup with pasta, Hawthorne Valley cheese, fresh sourdough bread from our bakery

    • Dessert: Homemade berry cobbler with maple whipped cream

    All dinners are served with fresh salad, Hawthorne Valley sauerkraut, and homemade dressing

Connecting the farm to the table

 
 

HANDS-ON APPROACH

At Hawthorne Valley Farm Camp, our programming is designed to foster a deeper understanding of how food is grown, how animals are cared for, and how it all makes its way to the table. Activities such as gardening, animal care, cooking, food preservation, and special farm projects are central to helping campers connect with the food on their plates.

 
 

our dining environment

We strive to create a safe and nurturing space where children can explore new foods. When they've worked in the garden, harvesting produce, and helped prepare meals in the kitchen, we see a direct impact on how they approach the food in front of them. This connection fosters excitement and pride around their nourishment. Our staff encourages campers to try new foods while allowing them the space to make their own choices.

how we approach dietary restrictions

Our Dining Hall staff is highly conscientious about meeting the dietary needs of all campers. With enough notice, many dietary accommodations can be made. We require a health form from all campers and will reach out to parents if any requests require further discussion. We have experience working with children who have severe allergies, intolerances, celiac disease, and more.

vegetarian kitchen

The majority of our meals are vegetarian. We enjoy fresh eggs from our laying hens, as well as yogurt and cheese made with milk from our dairy herd, processed in the creamery just across from the Dining Hall. Some sessions feature a cook-out, where we serve beef hamburgers and pork hotdogs, sourced from our own organic, humanely raised animals. Vegetarian alternatives are always available during our cookouts.