Area Guide Spotlight: Savor the River Valley

Posted March 22, 2024

Savor The River Valley Area Guide SPOTLIGHT 2024

Our Area Guide Spotlight series is back for 2024, and we couldn't be more excited to share these local stops and shops as you begin to plan your APT adventures for this summer.

The Driftless region is not only known for its lush valleys and towering bluffs, but also for its independent and inventive culinary spirit. With a rich tapestry of restaurants, vendors and farms that make up the region APT calls home, there's always something new (and delicious) to explore. We connected with Patti Peltier, a member of the steering committee for Savor the River Valley, an organization with a mission of celebrating and connecting local food-focused businesses, to learn more about what our very own slice of foodie-heaven has to offer this upcoming season.

Savor the River Valley

savortherivervalley.org | [email protected]


Tell us more about Savor! What do you offer, and why is it special?

Savor the River Valley is a grass-roots, non-profit initiative of more than 40 small farmers, food makers, food retailers and restaurants in the River Valley. These local entrepreneurs are passionate about providing delicious, wholesome, unique and interesting food, often in ways that protect our environment, while taking care of their employees and community. We believe that together, we can turn these businesses into an economic engine that will enhance the vitality of our community. We hope you will consult our website and our Local Food Guide (check back later this spring) and explore what our members offer. We would truly appreciate your support.

What is the history of Savor? When was it established, and where did the idea come from?

In the summer of 2021, Stef Morrill Kerckhoff, Executive Director of River Valley Commons, and I started talking to local farmers and food business owners about working together to promote our local food scene. Kyle Beach of Homecoming & Reunion restaurants hosted our first gathering to explore the concept (and provided snacks!) Our circle kept expanding with people who wanted to be included. We had a public informational meeting at the Spring Green Community Library in November and our first members’ meeting at Taliesin the following March. We launched our website in May, 2022, and we haven’t looked back. The way both the local food businesses and food appreciators near and far have embraced our concept lets us know there's an appetite for this kind of collaboration between producers and eaters.

Tell us about how Savor fits into and enhances the communities of the River Valley region?

Our members are deeply invested in the community. Not only are they running businesses, they are raising families here, volunteering, helping their neighbors and serving on town, village and school boards. Many of them offer an admirable level of support to each other. They buy and promote each others’ products. They pitch in when someone needs help. They share resources and information. They even help each other with child care. Collaboratively building a cooperative and economically vibrant community is a big part of what Savor is about.

Is there anything coming up you'd like to invite our readers to?

We want our friends in the APT audience to meet us during Savor’s Earth Day Farm & Food Tour on Saturday, April 20, from 10 AM to 2 PM. It’s a free, family-friendly excuse to get out in the beautiful Driftless area and connect with people. This is your chance to get behind the scenes at some farms and businesses not generally open to the public. Walk the pastures, see baby animals, find out how grain is milled, coffee is roasted and cheese is made. Our members will share their passion for their products and tell you how and why they do what they do. Several tour stops will offer free samples of locally made products. Along the way, our tour map will give you ideas for where to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and treats. We’re proud to know these people, and we’re excited to introduce them to you.

Connect with Savor on social media to learn more about upcoming events!

Facebook: Savor the River Valley

Newsletter: Sign up here!

Instagram: @savortherivervalley