Geared for Growth: Farmhouse Table Serves Fresh Local Food in Greater Rochester, Showcases Local Ingredients
Farmhouse Table specializes in full-service catering throughout Western New York with a particular focus on showcasing fresh food from farmers all throughout the Greater Rochester/Finger Lakes region. Owners Mike and Sarah Hasenauer were featured on Geared for Growth on Wednesday, June 12th as part of Greater Rochester Chamber’s ongoing partnership with 13WHAM/FOX Rochester. Mike and Sarah discussed the organization’s background, the key relationships that help their business and others in Greater Rochester thrive, and the exciting project they have coming to downtown Rochester.
Farmhouse Table started in 2015 with the mission of showcasing local produce and products from farms in
the Greater Rochester area. “You go five miles outside of Rochester, and you’re in beautiful farms in the Finger Lakes,” Mike explained, “They produce some of the best products in the world, and we wanted to do something to highlight that.” Farmhouse Table first started their operations at local farmers’ markets, allowing them to develop personal relationships with the farmers they now work closely with. “We naturally have created these relationships where we know people, we know their families, we know their kids,” Sarah shared, “We love the idea of being able to support them.” Farmhouse Table still goes to the Brighton Farmer’s Market and is excited to participate in the new Downtown Market at Parcel 5 coming in July.
Nearly a decade after first starting, Farmhouse Table is primarily a catering company, working with companies and families throughout Western New York on weddings, corporate events, and more. However, Mike and Sarah still shared that their presence at farmer’s markets and getting to talk to customers face to face is critical to their business success and growth. “A lot of times, we’re in the back doing behind-the-scenes work to make an event perfect, but at a farmers’ market we get to interact with our customers and find out how they’re doing and what they like,” Mike noted. These conversations then help to shape their menu, which shifts with the seasons and customer preferences.
In addition to their presence in markets throughout Greater Rochester and custom catering options, Farmhouse Table does have a permanent brick-and-mortar presence as well. Their Shop on St. Paul is a boutique grocery with fresh-made salads, locally sourced cheeses, and a case with deli and dairy products. And, Farmhouse Table is opening a new restaurant downtown Rochester above Midtown Garage. The restaurant will serve food and drink, and will feature an event space for up to 50-people. “We’re currently developing breakfast and lunch menu items [for this new location] and getting our liquor license to create drink recipes,” Sarah explained, “It’ll be accessible all the time.”
To learn more about Farmhouse Table, visit their website at FarmhouseTableFood.com.
Be sure to tune into FOX Rochester every Wednesday at 8:45 AM to see every Geared for Growth story and learn about exciting growth stories from Greater Rochester Chamber members throughout the region.