With multigenerational farms declining and fewer young people entering agricultural careers, the future of our food system depends on those willing to reimagine what farming can look like. Women are increasingly stepping into that role while driving innovation, prioritizing sustainability, and building more resilient agricultural communities.
The global spotlight is beginning to shift onto these farmers, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations officially declaring 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, signaling a pivotal moment for equity, visibility, and long-term impact in agriculture.
2026: International Year of the Woman Farmer
While the International Year of the Woman Farmer highlights a global movement, its impact is most meaningful at the local level. Through our FarmSource program, Parkhurst partners directly with independently owned farms and producers, many of them women‑led, whose work strengthens regional food systems and keeps dollars, jobs, and expertise rooted in the communities we serve.
Investing in women farmers isn’t just the right thing to do: It strengthens our entire food system. From fair wages and land access to education and community investment, these efforts are reshaping how food is grown and sourced. We work with women-owned farms and businesses like Bedillion Honey Farm, Goat Rodeo, Lettuce Ladies, Mighty Small Farm, and Twin Brook Dairy Farm.
FarmSource is about more than sourcing ingredients; it’s about cultivating trust. Our teams spend time on farms, ask questions, listen to stories, and build long‑term partnerships grounded in shared values. Whether it’s learning how a farmer is innovating to protect soil health, adapting to changing climates, or growing their business for the next generation, these relationships shape the food we serve and the stories we’re proud to share with our clients and guests.
Parkhurst’s Sourcing Philosophy
At Parkhurst, this evolution isn’t something we’re observing from the sidelines: It’s something we experience firsthand through the relationships we build with the people who grow our food. Our sourcing philosophy has always been rooted in knowing not just where ingredients come from, but who is behind them and why they do what they do. As more women step into leadership roles in agriculture, we’re seeing how their perspectives, values, and resilience are shaping a more thoughtful and sustainable food system.
By partnering with producers who are shaping the future of farming, Parkhurst continues to champion a more inclusive, innovative, and human-centered food system where the people behind the food matter just as much as what’s on the plate. The result is food with a deeper sense of place and purpose, ingredients that reflect care, craftsmanship, and connection. For our clients, that means greater transparency and authenticity. For our communities, it means supporting farmers and makers who are invested not just in their land, but in the people they feed.
