4P Foods Monthly Harvest
Get insights on food education, company news, climate impact, and regenerative farming practices.
How to Grill Summer Vegetables for a Delicious Meal
May 26, 2023 by 4P Foods
The weather is warming up and the outdoors are calling to us. We can feel it; grilling season is here! And grilling isn’t just for the 4P Foods’ protein share. You can grill almost any vegetable that is in your produce tote.
A Berry Exciting Season: All About Berries in the Mid-Atlantic
May 12, 2023
We're so berry excited about our delicious regionally-grown berries that begin being harvested in early spring and are available up until autumn.
Why My Life’s Work Is Food Systems Change
May 10, 2023
The federal government and governments around the world recognize the need for an alternative to this linear, extractive food supply chain. The question is, can we collectively build it? Will we build it? And can we do so in time to avoid catastrophic suffering of all sentient beings at the...
The Most Delicious Spring Greens and How To Prepare Them
May 08, 2023
It’s easy being green in the spring. Greens emerge from the soil to mark the beginning of spring and encourage us humans to refresh our diet with these low calorie sources of fiber, vitamins, calcium, and potassium.
3 Ways to Prepare Radishes You Will Love
April 07, 2023
Radishes pack a punch. This peppery root vegetable isn’t everyone’s favorite, but they are fresh out of the ground in the spring and worth another taste. Trust us, a different preparation can change how your taste buds experience certain vegetables.
4P Foods Awarded $1.6 Million USDA Grant To Improve the Mid-Atlantic Regional Food Ecosystem
March 31, 2023
4P Foods is the recipient of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regional Food System Partnership grant in the amount of $992,152 matched by $614,500 in partner, in-kind, and philanthropic funding including $264,500 from the Bainum Family Foundation, The Agua Fund, and the Danville Regional Foundation.
Simple Gardening Tips From A Mid-Atlantic Farmer
March 29, 2023
As Mid-Atlantic farmers themselves, Lee and her husband select varieties of plants that do well in the Mid-Atlantic and they start the plants in a compost-based potting mix.
Your Guide to Loose Leaf Herbal Teas And How To Use Them
March 17, 2023
We are brewing hot, delicious tea made with wild-crafted herbal tea blends from Lancaster Farmacy, a small organic farm that specializes in growing medicinal herbs.
This is Corned Beef: An Old Irish-American Tradition
March 13, 2023
We’re taking you all the way back to when refrigeration didn’t exist and meat was cured for preservation. Corned beef is beef brisket that has been cured in a salt solution called a brine.
3 Tips For Preparing Beets That You Will Love
March 08, 2023
The health benefits beets bring are impressive, but sometimes the flavor of beets are not impressive. If you haven’t fallen in love with beets yet, try these tips before you give up on them.
5 Things You Need To Know About Black Garlic
February 27, 2023
4P Foods is very excited to offer black garlic from Farmer D! This unique product is delicious and very time intensive to make.
6 Hearty Winter Greens that Keep you Healthy In The Cold
February 24, 2023
Winter greens are packed nutrients that help keep us healthy during the intense cold months when we are more prone to illness. Their strong texture also makes them especially suited for cooking stews and soups, cooked green side dishes, and casseroles.
4P Foods’ 2022 Impact
February 17, 2023
Each day, 4P Foods gets closer to the kind of food system where farmers thrive, soil is regenerated, animals are treated humanely, and all communities have equitable access to healthy food. With the support of our customers, growers, artisans, and community partners, 4P Foods was able to further our mission...
Eating Meat Doesn't Have To Be Bad For The Planet
January 19, 2023
If climate change is one of your reasons for restricting meat from your diet, we have a regenerative perspective that just might change your mind. And, you might be surprised to learn, eating regeneratively raised meat can help heal the earth.
Fresh Produce To D.C. Powered By The Rounds + 4P Foods
January 17, 2023
4P Foods and The Rounds are partnering to bring in season, fresh produce to The Rounds customers. This CSA-style produce tote is packed with the top picks of vegetables and fruit from the 4P Foods team and delivered by The Rounds.
Good-For-You Food To Fuel Your New Year
December 30, 2022
As the year begins, we stop to take stock and think about how we want to feel and grow. Start your new year off healthfully with these selections from the 4P Foods shop!
Your Guide to Unique and A-Peeling Peak-Season, Organic Citrus
December 15, 2022
We prioritize sourcing from local and regional farms in Virginia, Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic and the Eastern seaboard, but, as it gets colder, the variety of produce gets less exciting. During this time, we partner with independently-owned farms in states such as Florida, Georgia, and Texas to provide delicious, nutrient-packed citrus....
Holiday Gift Guide: Give The Gift Of Delicious Food
December 09, 2022
The complete 4P Foods' holiday gift guide. Give the gift of delicious, responsibly-sourced food to your loved ones.
Chestnuts About This: How to Roast Virginia-Grown Chestnuts
December 07, 2022
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…or in an oven; roast your chestnut however you like. Known for their sweet flavor and soft texture, Chestnuts are a great source of antioxidants, potassium, and magnesium. No wonder they are a holiday favorite.
A Simple Way To Donate Delicious, Good-For-You Food
November 29, 2022
Getting good-for-you food to the communities that need it is central to 4P Foods’ mission. Through our Buy a Bag program, you can send a 4P Foods tote to a family for their next meal.
7 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Holiday Hosting
November 28, 2022
This holiday season upgrade your holiday hosting, improve your carbon footprint, and reduce your stress with these simple ideas.
How to Turn Your Thanksgiving Leftovers into a New Meal
November 21, 2022
Thanksgiving meals are delicious and filling - and leaves us with plenty of leftovers. Here are quick and creative ways to turn leftovers into delicious new meals, reduce your food waste, and clean out your refrigerator.
Kind Re-Gourds: How To Select And Cook 8 Winter Squash Varieties
November 11, 2022
During this time of the year, we have plenty of winter squash such as pumpkins, acorn squash, butternut squash, and decorative gourds. If you are daunted by cooking these delicious, cold-season crops, don’t worry, we’ll get you acquainted!
How to Roast a Pie Pumpkin and Get Delicious Pumpkin Puree
November 08, 2022
Also known as a sugar pumpkin, pie pumpkins have sweet and dense flesh perfect for making pumpkin puree. They are great for desserts, and less ideal for decorative use.
7 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Thanksgiving Hosting
November 03, 2022
This Thanksgiving upgrade your holiday hosting, improve your carbon footprint, and reduce your stress with these simple ideas.
Modified Thanksgiving Delivery Schedule
November 02, 2022
4P Foods will be delivering grocery totes and food orders on a modified schedule the week of Thanksgiving.
5 Reasons Why KellyBronze Turkeys Are Better For Thanksgiving
November 01, 2022
A delicious KellyBronze turkey cooks in half the time of an average turkey and is twice as tasty.
Remarkable Partnership With Brighter Bites Brings Food To Maryland Families
October 20, 2022
4P Foods aggregates, quality checks, and delivers fruits and vegetables for Brighter Bites’ box program in Prince George County, Maryland. Brighter Bites is a nonprofit that creates communities of health through fresh food.
Hatching a Plan to Support Local Farms’ Pasture-Raised Egg Production
October 13, 2022
For the 2021-2022 school year, 4P Foods delivered more than 234,000 farm-fresh, pasture-raised eggs from Piedmont Progressive Farmers Cooperative (PPFC), a Black farmer cooperative located in Caswell County, N.C., to Harvest Table Culinary dining halls at Elon University.
7 Exciting Takeaways From The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, & Health
October 07, 2022
With an $8 billion budget, the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan directly addresses food access and affordability, nutrition and health, food education , physical activity for all, and food security and nutrition research. Here are the 7 points 4P Foods is excited about.
New Program Connecting Virginia Schools To Local Farmers
October 05, 2022
During farm-to-school month, we highlight our work with the Virginia Department of Education and the local school system to bring nutrient-dense food direct from local farmers to students across the state.
Apple-ly Ever After: A Tale of the Best Virginia-Grown Apples
September 29, 2022
The great weather conditions in Virginia make it a prime state to grow apples. Read on to find out which varieties are best for eating and baking.
Tom McDougall is an Aspen Institute Food Leader Fellow
September 21, 2022
Tom McDougall, Founder & CEO of 4P Foods, joins the Aspen Institute food leaders fellows with 17 emerging food leaders to commune for 18 months to discuss and uncover challenges within the current food system and develop solutions for the better.
Achieve Grapeness and Concord the Day: Top 3 Mid-Atlantic Grown Grapes
September 15, 2022
The grapes grown by farmers in the Mid-Atlantic are unique to our region. Learn more about the top three grape varieties harvested in the Mid-Atlantic and concord the day.
Exciting Regenerative Organic Farming Research at Rodale Institute
September 08, 2022
Local Food Sales Advocate Grace Grattan traveled to The Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA to attend the 2022 Annual Organic Field Day. Lucky for us, Grace is sharing her farm-tastic thoughts and takeaways about regenerative organic farming research at the Rodale Institute!
Why Sign Up For A 4P Foods' Pick-Up Site? Free Delivery
September 02, 2022
Across 4P Foods’ delivery area, we have conveniently located community pick-up sites. Our pick-up sites provide 4P Foods’ customers with a place to gather their weekly harvest that reduces their grocery bill with free delivery! View a full list of our convenient pick-up locations across the DMV.
Introducing 4P Foods New COO: Louisa Hart
August 16, 2022
We are thrilled to welcome former Lidl US COO Louisa Hart as our new Chief Operating Officer. Louisa is a 15-year international grocery store operator and brings new perspectives and expertise to 4P Foods.
Turning Over New Leafs: 5 New Greens for Your Salad, Stir Fry and Stew
July 29, 2022
We’re here to show you how to liven up salads and dishes with five tasty greens you never knew you needed!
6 Wonderful Farms To Visit In Virginia And Maryland
May 06, 2022
A list of six farms to visit in Virginia and Maryland. These local farms are open for visitors year round or put on special seasonal events.
You Need to Know About Regenerative Agriculture and the Future of Food
April 11, 2022
If you’ve heard or read the term “regenerative agriculture” lately, you’ve probably automatically associated it with other terms like “organic” or “sustainable”. These words do go together in some senses, but I want to dive a little deeper into what makes regenerative agriculture different, and why I believe it is...
4P Foods Year in Review: Remarkable, Regional Food Hub in 2021
January 27, 2022
4P Foods' impact in the Mid-Atlantic as a regional food hub in 2021.
5 Reasons to Get Farm Fresh Food Delivered by 4P Foods
January 10, 2022
4P Foods can connect you to a more sustainable food system.
Egg-celent News: Delicious, Farm Fresh Eggs Delivered
December 21, 2021
At the start of the 2021 school year, 4P began delivering eggs from the Piedmont Progressive Farmers Group (PPFG) to Elon University. This may seem like an everyday transaction between a food service operator and local farmers, but lots of legwork went on behind the scenes to make this Good...
Now Available! 4P Foods' Marinara Sauce Made With Virginia-Grown Tomatoes
December 03, 2021
4P Foods marinara sauce is made with Virginia-grown tomatoes in Hatch Kitchen in Richmond, VA.
Successful Partnership with UVA Dine: Local Food Delivered to Students
November 04, 2021
UVA Dine’s Sustainability Coordinator and Green Dining program worked with 4P to create Farmers Market in a Bag. Students get to order a bag full of locally-sourced produce.
4P Foods is Excited to Receive an Investment from American Heart Association
October 29, 2021
We are pleased to announce that 4P has received an investment from the Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund, which is administered by The American Heart Association. The Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund invests in organizations and companies breaking down the social and economic barriers to health equity.
Partnership with Brighter Bites: Fresh Food Delivered to Schools
October 06, 2021
4P Foods is partnering with Brighter Bites to deliver fruits and vegetables to schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Rebuilding Food Systems: Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum
September 17, 2021
4P Foods Founder and CEO Tom McDougall is speaking about a case study in regional regenerative distribution at the 2021 Regenerative Food Systems Investment (RFSI) Forum.
Your Donations Increase Access to Quality, Nutrient-Dense Food
September 07, 2021
Our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) partnership with the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy is increasing access to healthy, nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables in D.C.
4P Foods Is One of the Fastest-Growing Companies in America
August 20, 2021
4P Foods ranked No. 432 on Inc. Magazine's annual Inc. 5000 list! The list represents the most successful companies of the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses.
10 Stunning Farms to Visit in Virginia and Maryland
July 30, 2021
Ten farms you should visit in Virginia and Maryland this summer.
Exciting Big Cheese Deal: Bringing Vermont Cheese to Your Dairy Tote
May 08, 2021
Small farm–crafted, award-winning Vermont Cheese delivered in your 4P Foods tote.
Celebrate Earth Day with Food that is Better for the Earth
April 25, 2021
According to research by the USDA Economic Research Service, less than 1% of the 911 million acres of total farmland nationwide is certified organic (USDA ERS). Industrial agriculture, which maximizes production and profit at the cost of human and environmental health, dominates food production in the U.S. With so many...
How You Can Build Equity Through Foodshed Capital's Black Farmer Fund
April 22, 2021
Foodshed Capital is a Richmond, Va. based nonprofit that is on a mission to provide financial stewardship to farms and businesses fostering an equitable and regenerative local food economy.
How Seasonal Eating Benefits Farmers, Your Health, and Taste Buds!
March 18, 2021
Local food not only supports independent farmers and producers, it’s the freshest bounty around, and is downright delicious.
Make a Donation: Support Access to Nutrient-Dense Food in D.C.
February 17, 2021
You can donate to the Washington Nationals youth Baseball Academy weekly farmers market by adding a donation bag to your 4P Foods cart.
2020 Year In Review: Resilience Of Local Food Systems
January 09, 2021
The resilience of local food systems was a shining bright spot in 2020, a year that was extremely challenging in so many ways, from a global pandemic to this nation’s long overdue racial reckoning. As we at 4P Foods look ahead to how we will continue realizing our vision of...
The Best Food Gifts for Holidays, Parties, and More!
December 11, 2020
4P Gift Cards make the perfect present for friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, the list goes on–after all, everybody eats! Choose from the preset gift card amounts below, and you'll have the option to buy for yourself or for someone else and to send the gift instantly or at a later...
Expressing Love & Gratitude For Our Community This Thanksgiving
December 01, 2020
We want to say thank you to the hardworking farmers, the resilient food businesses, the tireless food assistance providers, our incredible 4P Foods community.
Here's What You Need to Know About Where Protein Comes From
November 17, 2020
At 4P Foods, we are committed to transparency and traceability behind all our products. Find out more about our local protein sources here.
12 Terms You Need to Know to Understand Meat Labels
November 17, 2020
4P Foods also sources sustainable, ethical protein options. Here are the 12 terms you need to know to understand meat labels.
Exciting New Partnership Cooking Up With Culinary Concepts AB
September 09, 2020
Culinary Concepts AB in Charlottesville, VA is a socially-minded company that uses culinary arts to help individuals find and advance their abilities and passions. Through training programs and live virtual cooking classes, participants can acquire important certifications and develop skills to assist them in their personal and professional lives.The company...
We Stand Against Racism: Resources And Black-Owned Businesses To Support
June 06, 2020
“I can’t breathe.” On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man was murdered in Minneapolis, MN. He was killed at the knee of a white man – with the help of other white men, enabled by a system dominated and controlled by white men. My wife was born and...
Nats4Good and 4P Foods Fight Hunger During Global Pandemic
April 09, 2020
The Nationals Philanthropies awarded the Mid-Atlantic Food Resilience and Access Coalition, an organization led in part by 4P Foods, the Community Response Grant
Emerging Mid-Atlantic Food Resilience and Access Coalition
April 09, 2020
We raised our hand to help lead a regional response to this crisis, and the diverse coalition that has formed represents every part of the food system from restaurants to farmers and distribution to food banks.
PR: New Program To Renew And Revitalize Community Agriculture
March 19, 2020
4P Foods and Local Food Hub have come together with a diverse coalition of partners across DC, VA, and MD coordinating efforts to keep people fed, farmers growing, and small food businesses operating in the face of COVID-19.
4P Foods Covid-19 Response & Food Safety Procedures
March 17, 2020
We’re working every day to make sure that our sanitation, food handling, transportation, and staff health and hygiene practices follow best practices and demonstrate our commitment to a culture of food safety and quality. Here’s more about what we’re doing:COVID-19 ProceduresWe wash our hands frequently and use gloves when handling...
The Ultimate Guide to Community Supported Agriculture In the DMV
February 28, 2020
Last year, we were delighted when Edible DC featured 4P Foods on their list of Great CSAs in the DC area, a list which included both single-farm CSAs and other network-based delivery services like ours. While we rarely identify ourselves as a CSA, the food hub model at 4P Foods...
Why We Source Beyond Local When Food Options Are Limited
February 03, 2020
4P Foods offers in season, regional produce.
How To Directly Support Local Food Access Programs
December 19, 2019
Starting this holiday season, we're very excited to be able to offer our members the option to make a tax-deductible donation to Local Food Hub (LFH), our partner organization.4P members will always have the option to donate their bags, and your kindness is always appreciated! However, our local food bank partners are...
Love Organic Citrus? You Need To Know About Regional Sourcing
December 06, 2019
Regional sourcing bringing you in season, organic citrus fruit during the winter months.
New Wholesale Distribution Results In Increased Purchases From Local Farms
October 08, 2019
4P Foods and Local Food Hub have always been at the leading edge of food system innovation. After years of working together, the merger of their distribution businesses four months ago has already resulted in a 27% increase in purchases from small family farms in Virginia!Now they’re becoming leaders in...
4P Foods is Thrilled to Announce Partnership with PATH Foundation
August 23, 2019
The PATH Foundation is a grant-making organization that enhances the health and vitality of the community with four areas of focus — access to health, childhood wellness and nutrition, mental health and senior services.
Food Port Research Finds Greatest Growth For Mid-Atlantic Region
July 18, 2019
4P Foods and Food Works Group published An Assessment of the Mid-Atlantic Food Port Concept and Economic Impact on Rural Economic Development. The report is a study on the feasibility of a Mid-Atlantic Food Port that assesses the advancement of our region’s food and agriculture sector.
Excited to Announce New Virginia Warehouse and Wholesale Distribution
June 18, 2019
4P Foods has exciting news that will positively impact our local food system. We will acquire Local Food Hub's wholesale arm and warehouse in Charlottesville, Virginia.
What You Need to Know About Regionally-Sourced, Nutrient-Dense Food
February 01, 2019
4P Foods brings high quality, healthy food directly to your door.
Cultivating a New Look for a Growing Regional Food Hub
October 01, 2018
Over the past four years, 4P Foods has evolved its services as a food hub social enterprise. Now we are enhancing our visual identity to match our mission.
New Partnership With Bainum Family Foundation To Increase Food Access
August 15, 2018
We are proud to announce our partnership with the Bainum Family Foundation to expand our purpose of building a more equitable food system.
Nats Academy Increases Access To Nutrient-Dense, High Quality Food
June 09, 2018
Fresh locally-grown and organic produce from 4P Foods partnering farms overflowed in display bins set up on folding tables lining the atrium of the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy
9 Products that Make 4P Foods’ Winter Totes Exciting
October 15, 2017
Access to high quality local and sustainable food doesn't have to end when the farmer's markets close. We deliver healthy and fresh food year-round!
Making a Big Impact With Fauquier Community Food Bank
September 15, 2017
On a Friday morning, the 4P Foods DC office team drove an hour outside of city headquarters to Warrenton, VA. Warrenton is a short drive from the 4P FOODS distribution site. Each week, freights of food are shipped from regional farms to our warehouse in Culpeper, often with the same...
Helpful Resources You Need to Know to Level Up Your Cooking
April 14, 2016
Time to get into the kitchen and whip up some great meals!
Read Food Labels Like a Pro: What You Need to Know
March 02, 2016
It's important to understand the language of the grocery store in order to make better consumer choices. We've broken down the terms for you so you can make better choices.
Our Members Dish On Their Amazing Recipes With Our Food
February 08, 2016
Delicious recipes created with nutrient-dense, regionally-sourced produce, protein, and artisanal products.
Happy New Year! Looking back, looking ahead
December 24, 2015
Hi Friends, Members, Farmers, Producers, Partners, and Fans,As this year comes to a close next week, I can't help but reflect on the year that seems to have (rapidly) disappeared in the past 12 months. It was, bar none, the most challenging year of my life. 4P Foods was, is,...
It's Not Local: Why Wild-Caught Salmon from Alaska is the Best
December 04, 2015
We are very excited to be getting salmon in our protein share. Although the salmon is from Bristol Bay, Alaska, it does come to us through a local connection.
Successful Harvest Day Party at Bees and Trees Farm
October 28, 2015
The 4P Foods community gathered at Bees and Trees Farm in Elkwood, VA in celebration of Food Day. Our founder Tom made us delicious Mac 'n Cheese, pulled pork, and cole slaw.
Reflections From 4P Foods’ First Marketing Intern, Kara Ellis
August 30, 2015
Since late April I have been working as a Marketing Intern with the 4P Foods team in DC and getting to know the sustainable agriculture scene a little bit better. I’ve learned a lot throughout this whole experience (especially about how much hard work goes into running a small business),...
It’s Not Local: Why 4P Foods Organic Citrus is Better
April 28, 2015
Local food with a purpose – that’s our tagline.What does that mean though? And how do you define “local”? What exactly is that purpose? These questions, and many others, hit me hard in mid-December when the temperatures started to drop, and the usual field produce available in Virginia, Maryland, and...
Remarkable, Locally-Sourced Protein Delivered Weekly by 4P Foods
January 15, 2015
After months of working closely with our farmers and getting into the nitty gritty of logistics, we were finally able to get all of our ducks in a row (pun intended) to start delivering local, sustainable and humanely raised meat (yes, duck will be included) and eggs from some fantastic...
You Need to Know These Food Storage Tips to Keep Seasonal Food Fresh
January 14, 2015
Storage tips for seasonal produce to keep your food fresh for longer.
Why You Should See the Informative Documentary “Food Chains”
December 04, 2014
“Food Chains” tells an important story about our food system. In both its history and its present form, it has been a food system that exploits human lives for labor.
7 Surprising Reasons We Are Rebuilding a Regenerative Food System
November 21, 2014
On October 25th, we hosted a celebration of Food Day 2014. We brought together our team, our 4P Foods members, our friends, and many of our wonderful farmers. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious, and the conversation that flowed is exactly what we had hoped it would be: People...
The Best Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards Within Driving Distance of D.C.
October 07, 2014
Apple season is in full swing! Here are the best Pick-Your-Own apple orchards in Virginia and Maryland.
Locally-Sourced, Nutrient-Dense Food Donations to Martha's Table
September 26, 2014
Once a month we make a delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables from our family of farms to our partner organization Martha's Table. The amount donated is based on the number of deliveries we made that month. For every 10 shares we deliver, we donate 1 share to Martha's Table....
Cultivating a Strong Community: Locally-Sourced Food Donations
March 17, 2014
About 50 years ago, a Georgetown professor interested in addressing poverty in the nation’s capital sat down with a priest who had been working to help people on the streets for a lifetime. Their conversations would transform the social service landscape in Washington, DC with the creation of a soup...
Farm-Fresh Food Delivery in the Mid-Atlantic: Introducing 4P Foods
March 12, 2014
4P Foods is the newest farm-fresh food delivery company serving the Washington DC Metro Area. We do things a little differently.First of all, we deliver to your building, so you don’t have to worry about going to the store or detouring to some central pick-up location. You’re busy enough as...
What is a Food Hub? Rebuilding the Food System in America
March 06, 2014
What if a farmer could just focus on farming? That simple idea is the foundation for a new type of food business called a food hub. Food hubs act as the sales arm for a community of farmers.