The Family Farmer

The American family farmer is at the heart of Founding Farmers.  Truly, because the restaurant is owned by real American Family Farmers!

We believe it is the right of all diners and lovers of a green “meal away from home” to enjoy an exquisite, fulfilling, and honest meal. At Founding Farmers we strive to serve ingredients from fine, high-quality, family farms, and our meals are prepared with the utmost care and attention by our talented chefs and kitchen staff.  “Strive” is an important word, because in today’s world, and today’s economy, it isn’t always possible to source or buy the ideal products; no different than if you’re food shopping at Whole Foods you (and they) are striving for great products, but not everything delivers perfectly on our desires.

The Founding Farmers name represents a combination of ideas: it is a celebration of the land and the American family farmer; it is a nod to the founding fathers of our country, many of whom owned and farmed land that surrounds Washington, D.C.; and it is a place where true, sustainably farmed, grown, and harvested American foods are brought to our guests—reminiscent of traditions from across the land.

The rich history of American cooking tradition is celebrated throughout the menus at Founding Farmers, with a philosophy to promote sustainable agriculture and the ways of the American family farmer at every turn. Each season, new choices reflect the best of what’s available from our sources.  At Founding Farmers, it isn’t always about “local”, or “organic”–sure, when it makes sense, those are great things; but local doesn’t always means the smallest carbon footprint, and “organic” can also refer to broccoli that comes from China.  Our top mantra is quality and natural ingredients, if we find a product we love from a family farmer in California, we buy it…if we find a bio-dynamic vineyard in Chile, we love buying that wine…carbon footprint you ask?  We buy carbon offsets to ensure that regardless of the distribution distance, Founding Farmers is walking its talk that the planet matters.

For more than 400 years, and to this day, America’s independent family farmers have been both the foundation and the pillars of their communities. They grow high-quality food, are active in civic life, and are essential to the economic vitality of their hometowns and of the nation. As stewards of the land, family farmers work to protect the soil, air, water, and biodiversity in addition to producing high-quality, healthy foods. Thus, the Founding Farmers philosophy to operate, serve, and live green is the heart of the American family farmer.

Everyone needs to eat. Most people prefer to eat food that is healthy—but how do you know what is “good” and what is not?

When you go to the grocery store today you have a lot of choices; however, the most important food choice you can make is to buy organic, local if and when it makes sense for you, and when possible, family-farm–sourced food. Consumers seek out opportunities to purchase the freshest and healthiest foods from local groceries and farmers’ markets, but they often give their favorite restaurants a pass on this high standard of food. At Founding Farmers, know that we strive to make decisions the same way you do; we care about the source, and while sometimes due to price, availability, or quality, we can’t be perfect with every item we buy, be assured that we share the same values as you with regard to quality, and we strive to deliver on it. In addition, its more than just the food—be confident that we use natural cleaning products in the restaurant, use low-voltage lighting, and recycle and compost; its the holistic approach to trying to impact all areas of the business, and we appreciate your support.

At Founding Farmers, know that we strive to make decisions the same way you do; we care about the source, and while sometimes due to price, availability, or quality, we can’t be perfect with every item we buy, be assured that we share the same values as you with regard to quality, and we strive to deliver on it.  In addition, its more than just the food—be confident that we use natural cleaning products in the restaurant, use low-voltage lighting, and recycle and compost; its the holistic approach to trying to impact all areas of the business, and we appreciate your support.