Farmhouse Delivery was co-founded in Austin in 2009 by Stephanie Scherzer and Elizabeth Winslow. "We wanted to encourage people to connect with each other and with their community through food," says Winslow, a chef and former restaurateur. A long-time advocate of the local-food movement, Winslow brought an endless supply of cooking tips and recipes to their joint venture. Scherzer, a grower herself, brought an expert eye for hand-selecting the highest quality produce from local farms.

"Everything starts with the product itself," says Winslow. "If we taste something we like, we visit the farm it came from and find out how they do things." Though the farms that Farmhouse Delivery works with vary in size - from a small family farm on a couple of acres, to a large farm on fifty acres or more - the vetting process for each is the same. All of the farms must be certified organic or use organic, sustainable growing methods. "What's important to us is that they're doing it without chemical fertilizers and pesticides and that they love what they're producing," says Winslow. "Our farms won't sell us anything if it isn't perfect. They have the same level of pride in what they're doing as we do and the same standards of quality."

By giving local farmers regular business, the farms are able to grow along with Farmhouse Delivery. "They are able to plant more because we're buying in quantity," says Scherzer. "Now, before every season, they'll call and ask what we're looking for, allowing us to accommodate the needs and wants of our customers." If, for example, Farmhouse members want more fennel or specialty winter squash, the farmers will go out and plant them. "We're helping to diversify what's available, including more peculiar things like chicory or unusual Asian greens, things people wouldn't normally get to see," says Scherzer.

Of course, it's one thing to receive fresh vegetables each week, but knowing what to do with them is another. "One of the most important things we do at Farmhouse Delivery is teach people how to use their produce in new and interesting ways," says Winslow. Farmhouse Delivery members are given not only recipes and cooking tips, but also storage advice - what can be frozen, what should be placed in a crisper drawer - to ensure that the food is enjoyed and nothing goes to waste. Though there's immense satisfaction in knowing that Farmhouse Delivery has put money in the pockets of local farmers and made it easy for Austin residents to eat well, for Scherzer, "the most exciting thing is hearing members say, "I've made your recipe and loved it" or "I used my bushel to host a potluck for friends." I feel like we're in their kitchen!"

For both Winslow and Scherzer it's important that members understand that Farmhouse Delivery is about joy, not judgment. "We don't try to guilt anyone into joining," says Scherzer. "What I hear over and over from our members is that feel like they're getting a gift every week. They wait for the truck and their kids wait for the bushel, which they can't wait to open in order to see what's inside."

In 2012, Winslow and Scherzer became inspired by the burgeoning local food movement in Houston, and made the decision to expand east.  “There are so many growers in the Houston area that we are excited to work with—innovative farmers using sustainable methods to farm intensively and producing gorgeous, abundant produce, “says Scherzer.  Winslow, too is excited about the eastward expansion, “As an East Texas native, Houston has always been one of my favorite food cities.  My connections in this community run deep, and I can’t wait to bring both incredible ingredients and inspiration to Houston homes.  It feels a little like coming home.”

Farmhouse Delivery Farm Members enjoy weekly or bi-weekly bushels of local fruits and vegetables - delivered to their home or office - and have the option of ordering additional locally sourced food (e.g. organic eggs, meat, dairy products, bread and artisanal cheese). Unlike traditional Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, Farmhouse Delivery sources its food from many farms, guaranteeing that each bushel contains a unique assortment of the freshest local produce.