Area Guide Spotlight: Savor the River Valley

Posted April 7, 2025

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On your next trip to APT, consider visiting, staying, shopping and eating local by consulting APT’s helpful Area Guide. APT’s Area Guide Spotlight series highlights all the things that make the Driftless area so incredible, including some of our favorite finds that should definitely be included on your summer itinerary.

The Driftless region of Wisconsin has a dynamic and rich food scene on several levels. From local farms specializing in produce, dairy and meats to retail and restaurants featuring cuisine sourced from right down the road, there’s plenty to offer those looking for unique and tasty finds. Savor the River Valley is an organization looking to connect producers, chefs, buyers and the casual foodie and celebrate some of the amazing food this area has to offer.

APT connected with organizer Patti Peltier to learn more about this homegrown and tasty coalition, including their upcoming Earth Day Farm & Food Tour on Saturday, April 26. Learn more below!


Savor the River Valley

[email protected] | savortherivervalley.org

About Savor the River Valley

We are a grass-roots initiative of about 40 small farmers, food processors, food retailers and restaurants (plus some food-loving community members) in the River Valley area who’ve come together to support each other and to call attention to the interesting, delicious, community-building things going on in our dynamic food network. We started working together in 2021 and have been gaining momentum ever since.

The Mission

Much is said and written about the rapid loss of family farms in our state, the challenges for small businesses, and the resulting decline of rural communities. At Savor, we think the solution includes getting eaters back in touch with farmers. Shorten the supply chains and let family farmers and small local businesses return to being economic engines in the communities.

It’s easy to drive through our area during a visit to APT or elsewhere and not connect with many of the unique small businesses here. At Savor, we’re working to change that.


Upcoming Events

We are so excited about our 3rd annual Earth Day Farm & Food Tour on Saturday, April 26, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

This free, self-guided tour lets people connect with small family farmers and other food producers who make wholesome food in a way that cares for people, animals, and the environment. It also allows people to taste and observe the differences that makes.

On the 12 tour stop, you can:

  • See locally grown grains milled into flour and buy some to take home.
  • Watch milk being turned into cheese and taste the difference between cheeses made from cow, goat and sheep’s milk.
  • Lunch on smash burgers made from grass-fed beef and walk through a silvopasture.
  • Sample juices made from aronia berries, honey berries and elderberries and find out why agroforestry is important.
  • Walk through an orchard of specialty apples and pears with the mother-daughter duo who grow them.
  • Buy herb and cool-season vegetable plants to grow at home.

If you get your tour card stamped at three or more locations, you can enter our drawing for a one-night stay for four people at ElderFlower Retreat (a $1,200 value). And for a perfect ending, stop by our gathering at Twin Crix Farm for Homecoming Pizza, drinks and live music. It’ll be one heck of a memorable day!

For a tour brochure and an interactive map, visit our website: savortherivervalley.org

We hope to see you April 26…and whenever you visit APT!

Connect with Savor the River Valley on social media to learn more about their upcoming events and promotions!


Watch for our free Savor Food Guide at attractions, accommodations and in local stores for more information about places to eat and to purchase food in our area.

Facebook: Savor the River Valley

Newsletter: Sign up here!

Instagram: @savortherivervalley