Farm to table: Fresh produce, home-baked treats and cooking classes offered by Chickadee Acres

The farm-to-table movement is gaining traction around the world, encouraging people to serve the freshest possible food in restaurants and in their homes, sourced from local growers.

One business helping Joburgers to enjoy local produce is Chickadee Acres, located in the Cradle of Humankind area.

Gugs Mhlungu chats to Natasha Robson-Lovato; chef, baker, restaurateur and now also “farmer of sorts".

Born in South Africa, Robson-Lovato spent many years in the US before returning home where she and her husband are, as she puts it, trying their hand at growing food. As they focus on exotic crops not generally found here, they also partner with small-scale farmers to source those things locals are more familiar with.

She says their aim is to connect people with real, wholesome food and to celebrate the beauty and bounty of the land.

The business also offers events and classes, which incorporate her love of American cooking.

Robson-Lovato is excited about Chickadee Acres' latest offering - farm boxes which provide your basic veggies, dairy products from a partnering farmer, as well as freshly baked bread.

The special pies and cakes you can learn to make in her classes, can also be ordered along with your farm box, or individually.

"Actually getting the food from farm to table is a problem especially for small-sale farmers, and that is the problem specifically that we are trying to solve."

Current areas of delivery include Roodepoort, Krugersdorp, Randburg, Johannesburg, and the Northern Suburbs.

Visit the website to find out more about Chickadee Acres' services, and how to order.

To listen to Natasha Robson-Lovato in conversation with Gugs Mhlungu on 702's Weekend Breakfast, click on the audio link below: