'Farm-to-Table' Growing

The so-called farm-to-table movement has quickly evolved from an upscale fad to an increasingly attractive mainstream business opportunity, with more and more farmers and restaurant operators enthusiastically embracing it every day.
"It's being led by chefs, because they understand the benefits of freshness and the growing consumer demand for that," said John Matthews, founder and proprietor of 4-year-old Bradenton-based Suncoast Food Alliance, which represents 17 farms in Hillsborough, Manatee, Hardee and Sarasota counties. It sells fresh seasonal produce six days a week to 28 restaurants from Tampa to Venice.