TThe High Desert Food Trail, created by the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA), is excited to announce a brand new edition and map, complete with new foodie events, delicious culinary businesses, and self-guided itineraries to follow. The High Desert Food Trail is a collaboration with Travel Oregon and Visit Central Oregon as part of the Oregon Food Trails Program, which celebrates Central Oregon’s farms, restaurants, cafes, breweries, distilleries, and culinary experiences so you can taste your way through the region and enjoy exciting, unique experiences on working farms in the area. Central Oregon is known for outdoor adventures, and one of the best ways to connect with the land is through food.

The High Desert Food Trail offers visitors and locals alike the opportunity to experience the culinary and agro-tourism offerings that make this region so unique. The trail passes 48 businesses, including farms, ranches, restaurants, farmers markets, artisan food and beverage producers, and lodging. All of these stops on your journey will help you learn about the diverse businesses, landscapes, and cultures of the high desert.

Visitors to the trail can choose their own path or follow one of three highlighted themes and routes – stunning landscapes, arts and crafts and resilient agriculture. Visit hdffa.org/hdft to download the full trail map in English and Spanish and explore an interactive map of businesses along the trail at hdffa.org/hdft-businesses.

One of the most exciting parts of the HDFT is showcasing businesses that source, sell to, and collaborate with each other. You’ll find local produce at markets and on menus throughout the region. For example, Deschutes Produce, like many others, has its own farm stand, but also sells its produce at Central Oregon Locavore, The Stand, Well Rooted Farmss, Bend Farmers Market, and more.

Funky Fauna Artisan Ales, Lazy Z Ranch, and Bonta Gelato all use farm-fresh lavender from Tumalo Lavender to add local flavor to their products. Arome, an artisan market specializing in tea, spices, and wines, partners with local makers and businesses to offer classes—like the recent cooking class with Schilling’s Garden Market on how to make summer mocktails and salads. The stories of our local food system can be found on the High Desert Food Trail and throughout Central Oregon.

While the trail is accessible year-round, some establishments are only open to the public seasonally. Now that the summer season is in full swing, it’s a great time to check out one of these routes and explore these self-guided journeys at your own pace. Follow the routes of the High Desert Food Trail by watching these video posts on YouTube.