Over the past decade, travelers have increasingly sought connections to the sources of their food and drink, along with the artisans and chefs who create their meals and brews. To celebrate the agricultural abundance of Oregon's Willamette Valley—central to supplying ingredients to local restaurants, businesses, and attractions—the Albany Visitors Association partnered with Visit Corvallis and Travel Oregon to develop the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail.

The Mid-Willamette Food Trail offers visitors a chance to engage with the region’s agricultural roots. With over 40 businesses featured, the trail combines origin stories with unique, hands-on experiences. Spend a few days crafting your itinerary as you explore the scenic countryside of Linn and Benton counties. Stay in a cabin on a working farm, bottle-feed baby lambs, pick blueberries fresh from the fields, or enjoy a memorable farm-to-table dinner.

As you approach Midway Farms from Hwy. 20, you might see a milk cow grazing or seasonal flowers blooming near the little red barn that operates as a full-fledged cooperative farm market. What makes Midway unique is that it's the only "all gluten-free farm" in the region. Buy eggs, baked goods, jams, pickles, meats, poultry and nursery plants straight from the purveyor. Midway operates children's experience camps during the summer that can include learning how to harvest crops, gather eggs or milk a cow. 6980 NW Hwy 20, 541-740-6141.

A visit to Iron Water Ranch, a working fiber animal farm, includes seasonal family-oriented events like bottle-feeding baby lambs and educational workshops. Watch for Lambentine's Day in February, March Maaadness and April Floof's Day. The ranch produces beautifully dyed wool and fiber for craft, such as yarn for knitting and raw fiber for spinning or felting. The ranch is open daily by appointment. 35179 Riverside Drive SW, 541-979-5180.

No trip to Oregon would be complete without a visit to a blueberry farm, and Bryant Family Farm is the perfect family-friendly spot to experience blueberries fresh from the bush and straight into your mouth. You can pick them yourself or buy fresh plucked or frozen berries to take home. The farm is open Tuesday-Thursday peak season, June through August. There's a picnic area and a kid's play area on the farm, and they have event venues open year-round. 35923 Bryant Dr. SW, 541-704-0677.

The warm eclectic kitchen at this Sybaris Bistro is run by Matt Bennet, a James Beard House featured chef. The menu changes monthly, taking advantage of fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. Indulge in Oregon truffles, house-made elk sausages, rich chocolate flourless cake or other heavenly offerings. Stroll along First Ave. in the morning and you might catch a glimpse of Chef Matt outside smoking boar's ribs or sausages on the Traeger. Reservations are highly recommended. 442 First Ave W. in downtown Albany, 541-928-8157.

Grazing Oregon Charcuteries has cultivated relationships with farmers throughout our State and around the World. Their culinary expertise features fresh produce, honey varieties, aged butchered meats, and specialty cheeses - each personally selected by the Chef to support small craft businesses. They strive to bring you the many beautiful flavors of Oregon and the world directly to your table. 115 Ellsworth St SW in downtown Albany, 541-791-7105.

Perched atop a hill just a 10-minute drive from downtown Albany, Springhill Cellars Winery is surrounded by rural beauty. The tasting room annex is part of a fully restored barn used for events including parties, weddings, Pilates classes, tours and Thanksgiving weekend’s annual Federweisser Festival. Picnic tables, fairy lights and a fire pit dot the grounds with views to the west and magnificent sunsets over the Coastal Mountain Range. The winery is family-owned and operated and uses the French method of barrel aging their Pinot varietals. Tastings can be scheduled by calling ahead or dropping in at the winery May through December, Friday through Sunday, 11:30 am to 5:30 pm. 2920 NW Scenic Drive, 541-928-1009. 

At Deluxe Brewing & Sinister Distilling, you can grab a pint of their latest brew or a cocktail featuring one of their fine spirits. of their latest and enjoy a bite to eat from their food truck. This is a pet-friendly stop with indoor/outdoor informal seating and a food truck where they have weekly specials and dish up tacos on Tuesdays. Take the tour and sample whiskeys, ales and lager. 635 NE Water Ave along the Willamette River, 541-928-7699.

Take a tour at Vivacity Fine Spirits and Calapooia Brewing to sample their vodka, gin, rum and brandy plus a whole lot of craft brews on tap. The pub is family-friendly and there is an outdoor covered seating area as well. Listen to live music from their scheduled lineup. 140 Hill St NE, 541-928-1931.

What's better than the smell of freshly baked bread? Eating it straight out of the oven! Bodhi Bakery recently opened a new retail bakery outlet in downtown Albany where you can pick up fresh baked bread and pastries. They also offer a wide variety of heat-and-serve prepared foods, coffee, espresso drinks and other tasty treats. See the full menu on their website. 315 Lyon St, 541-286-4734. 

If you're craving some dessert, Natural Sprinkles Co. Bakery in downtown Albany is a farm-to-table bakery that has unique, homemade baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth. They have everything from scones and breads to cupcakes and seasonally prepared specials. The bakery offers a myriad of gluten-free and vegan options, creating baked goods for every type of diet. If you loved their homemade, all-natural cupcake sprinkles, or just want to try them, they are available for order off of their website. 202 2nd Ave SW, 541-704-0445.

Urban Ag Supply might look small from the street, but step inside and be prepared to wander through an amazing assortment of "rural meets urban" nirvana. Find everything you need for indoor or small-space gardening such as potted plants, ceramic planters, fertilizers and heirloom seeds. There's always something new from local artisans including garden ornaments and art and handmade soaps, lotions and balms. 456 Second Ave SW, 541-497-2988.

If there’s one must-see stop on our trail, it’s Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site. Just 15 miles from Albany in Shedd, this historic site is home to the last water-powered mill in Oregon, where you can watch its turbines in action. In the fall, the mill often operates a cider press, giving visitors the chance to join the process and take home freshly pressed apple cider.

The mill and grounds are open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Free guided tours are available during open hours—just drop in and speak with the rangers. Group tours for 10 or more people can also be arranged by calling ahead to ensure staffing. The main tour of the mill is accessible by ramps. 32655 Boston Mill Drive, Shedd, OR 97377.

The Albany Farmers' Market is a great place to sample the offerings of local shops, farms and creators from Albany and the surrounding area. Open Saturday in April-November, the market is full of local products such as flowers, produce, meats, poultry, and organic goods. Catch some live music or check out an educational event while you stroll around the vendors' tents. The market is located at the corner of Ellsworth Street SW and 4th Ave SW, 541-740-1542.

For more information on the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail and the full list of businesses included, request a free brochure from us at the AVA, 541-928-0911, or view the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail brochure (PDF). Detailed maps and itineraries are at Visit Corvallis, our partner in the development of the food trail, along with Travel Oregon. 

The Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail Digital Passport is a free mobile app that works on any mobile device and grants you access to deals and savings at selected sites on the Food Trail. Sign up today to receive your digital passport and enjoy discounts and free tastings.