Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail

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 50 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 Dr. 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.

Known for their local honey, seasonal veggies, and canned goods Sunflower Hill Farm in Lebanon is a small local farm that takes pride in using zero chemicals in their production processes. On top of their top-notch produce they also have handspun knitted items available for purchase. Come find them at the Lebanon Downtown Farmers' Market or their personal year-round Farm Stand every Saturday. 36456 Rock Hill Dr. in Lebanon, 541-974-1415.

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.

Whether you're in need of allergen-friendly, clean food, or just a quick bite to eat, Homegrown Oregon Foods has you covered. Formerly a sit-down restaurant now a hip food truck, this mom and pop operation offers you organic, 100% gluten free, and locally sourced delicious food. Everything on the menu is made from scratch with plenty of paleo and vegan options available. Come visit Albany's only dedicated gluten-free kitchen at The Barn. 640 Hickory St. SW in Albany, 541-971-7174.

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 Scenic Dr. NW, 541-974-0917. 

At Deluxe Brewing & Sinister Distilling, you can grab a pint of their latest brew or a cocktail featuring one of their fine spirits 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.

Share a pint, and share a story at Tallman Brewing in Lebanon. This community driven, family and pet friendly establishment hosts 30 taps, and 10 food trucks at their Brewhouse with a large indoor and outdoor space. Enjoy trivia, bingo, paint nights, live music and entertainment along with mouthwatering meals and refreshing brews. 2055 Primrose St. in Lebanon, 503-930-7760.

Visit Conversion Brewing for daily off-menu specials. Known for their specialty beers and sodas made in-house — this establishment takes pride in preparing their food from scratch using local ingredients. From providing gluten and dairy free options to vegan and low carb eats Conversion Brewing is sure to have something the whole family will enjoy. 833 Main St. S in Lebanon, 541-259-2337.

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., 541-704-0076. 

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.

Margin Coffee Roasters offers chill family-friendly vibes perfect for sitting down and enjoying an iced latte and savory bagel sandwich. Not a coffee person? Fear not! On top of having specialty coffee they also offer plenty of other options including premium teas, kombucha, and hot cocoa for the kids. Take a trip down to their cafe in downtown Albany or visit their Roastery Coffee Lab located off i5 to watch the roasting production happen live. 206 2nd Ave. NW and 2943 Santiam Hwy. SE, 541-248-3234.

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 a.m. to 4 p.m., 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 Dr. in Shedd, 541-491-3611.

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 Saturdays 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 St. 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 download 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.