Remember those etiquette-worthy kitchen dinner nights of our youth, having great conversations around the dinner table? Now, as graduates and adults, dinners channel the time to throw together a no-stress, all-vibes dinner dedicated to keeping our friends together and family in check, or our little ones happy. The dinners may have transformed, but one tradition that’s new is our ability to find authentic emerging ingredients to host the most beautifully delicious casual gathering. And summer? It's the perfect time to throw the perfect brat summer night of grand celebrations that dreams are made of.

We hope this newsletter is filled with smart and attainable menus for people who want to spend more time having great conversations around the table than stressing about making an innovative dinner experience. There’s nothing quite like the quality and flavor of produce bought directly from the maker, made in small batches local in your community. Plus, supporting local agriculture is a win for the environment too — so go visit your farmer’s market.

Inside, you'll find our best dinner party tips and tricks, a favorite list of emerging products, a list of what's in season right now, and products to use to change it up —small batch, flavorful and ready for you to enjoy.

Happy garden party!

With warm regards, Farm2Me

Tiny Fish Co wholesale products specializes in tinned sea treats crafted in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on sustainable, domestically sourced fish species and chef-driven flavors. Tiny Fish Co embrace a philosophy of celebrating the underutilized, advocating for biodiversity, and supporting seasonality in sourcing. Tiny Fish Co offerings include unique fish varieties intended to inspire adventurous cooking and diversify dietary routines. Additionally, Tiny Fish Co. is committed to sustainability, working closely with local, independently-owned fisheries and maintaining a minimal environmental footprint. They are also members of 1% for the Planet, highlighting their commitment to environmental responsibility. Grab their Octopus w/ Lemon & Dill, or Chorizo Spices Mussels, and their Sunshine & Sole Tin is a must.

Made in Portland, OR

Founded by Sara Hauman in 2022

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grab your fav things, we’re setting the table

Certainly! Here's the revised version with corrected punctuation:

Any Farm2Me maker, anywhere in the world, is my culinary challenge (I like to look for the strangest products and produce I can find). It’s how I engage with the emerging artisans who are putting out their families' traditions in the food they produce and grow. The variety of products I come across, from cultures all over the world, is what makes my dinner party.

I understand that it can feel hard knowing when something is truly small batch and sustainable, but that’s what we’re here for. We want to educate you, so you have our 14 years of context, plus keep you informed on the latest launches and emerging products, so your dinner parties stand out. The goal is to reach you to weed out the pretty packages stuffed with Kellogg’s-brand ingredients and keep your guests happy. That’s why I’ve compiled my tricks to help you navigate the variety of products and greens you’re about to explore — and rethink your approach to your favorite recipes (which can be swapped out with any product, and still taste new).

Savor your recipe and product adventure! It’s not the steps of mastering a recipe that counts, it’s the ingredients you use. And look for the ugliest packaging, produced in the smallest towns, and cleanest ingredient list to help you decide what will taste best. That’s 101. Then search it on Farm2Me and see if we’ve vetted them on our site. If not, submit the product while your grocery shopping and someone from our team will vet in 5 mins or less.

With culinary regards, Farm2Me

1) EAT WHATS MADE SEASONALLY

In season caught or grown ingredients are going to have the nutrients you crave - think citrus in summer, raw salads, grilled veggies, cold ice cream and pies, bright colors — it makes sense. Just think about your favorite dishes and find the products that will fit the dish — add an herb or a tinned fish you’ve never added to your charcuterie board.

2) KEEP IT SIMPLE

5 mins of cutting or plating is all a plate should take, top a small dish, use a drizzle of olive oil (not a lot), or drip a few drops of a sauce for people to poke at. That’s all you need. Let the flavor of the product shine! Here’s some tinned fish and olive oils, non-alc cocktails, snacks and others to use to compliment your table. The secret to the best dinner parry is to cater to the different tastes of your guests. The more random mixing and matching — the better!

3) BUT LEAVE ROOM FOR SPONTANEITY

don’t try to match, instead try to clash plateware colors and napkins, ask random guests to help partake, see how one pattern is different from another, one canned product from another. as you experiment, and get better, you’ll be more confident in switching products and flavors for others, adding new ingredients together. 99% of the time it’s in the sauces or salt or dressings you use.

4) START EARLY

Sunshine and golden hour sunsets are your time to let the dishes shine, and you have a limited window to execute - so it makes sense to have snacks and cocktails for people to start with , do that! You’ll thank us. Get the party started before 5pm, or earlier.

5) READ ABOUT THE MAKERS

The farmers and makers have bios on Farm2Me that they curated for you — it’ll help you tell their story and steer the direction of conversations throughout the night. Their stories are so interesting and explain how these products came to be. So dont think you’re weird for understanding the backstory of chorizo or chengdu crunch.

6) ALWAYS BUY SOME FLOWERS

Get a gift for yourself or your partner - succulents, produce plants w/ roots, planters, and cut flowers count. Go for the roots, they’ll last longer than 1 dinner! Changing up your flowers with seasonal flowers will keep you present in your quest for the perfect vibe.

7) IN SEASON SUMMER PRODUCE

Want you to do some math work — go to farmers market and ask for “seconds” (read: products with bruises) and take home product for 75% off or sometimes free. $2.99/LB becomes $0.99/LB. Now go to the grocery store and compare the price of that “Organic” Kale. Thank us later! Bonus: send us what you make and tag us on our Instagram.

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free recipe — deviled eggs

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KeepCart: Coupon Protection partners with D2C brands like Quince, Blueland, Vessi and more to stop/monitor coupon leaks to sites/extensions like Honey, CapitalOne, RetailMeNot, and more to boost your DTC margins

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