F.A.R.M. Cafe — Restaurant in Boone

Your conscience and your stomach will thank you for eating at FARM CAFE.

No one likes to admit they’re hungry, like really hungry. Or that they only have $3 to eat but would vomit if they had to eat off the McD dollar menu one-more-time.

Here at the Farm CAFE you pay what you can, or what you want to for a delicious wholesome healthy meal. Can’t pay? Cool. Want to pay some, all, or more than the suggested price? Cool.

Back a hundred years ago (exaggerating here) I used to visit the location to order grilled cheese, fries, and a chocolate shake when it was BOONE DRUG’S downtown grille. I have many fond memories of the (now dated) wallpaper behind the counter, the gold & black seating, the train circling above, and even Cheap Joe’s art supplies upstairs. Those days were beautiful. But at the same time, to get there I walked past a man selling handwritten stories on the sidewalk for cash. A few years ago I learned he died after years of exposure in the elements and struggles with homelessness and hunger. My heart hurt that I never offered to buy him lunch or have him come join us.

As someone myself who for some years struggled to balance feeding myself and my children, struggled with the stigma of asking for help, and wished there was affordable healthy meals - the FARM CAFE is a dream come true.

Boone visitors, tourists, students, and locals - are you in a food rut? Tired of spending $15-20+ for a hippie meal plus tip? Clean your conscience and come eat at Farm Cafe. That $ will go farther than you ever know. And your presence, your smile, and your full tummy will be a beautiful blessing.

P. S. Renee’s tomato pie is the best I’ve ever eaten. In fact, I’ve never had anything I didn’t like. Finally, I’ve never felt out of place at Farm Cafe - no matter whether I needed solitude...

This is a soup kitchen, the title is feed all regardless of means, I live in my vehicle, Which was towed and I had to bail out my home from the tow yard for 100$, I came in 3 days in a row for a plate of food, the first day I gave 3$ less than the 7$ recommended donation, the second day i came in I had been towed and wasn't asked to donate so I didn't, yesterday when I came in to get a plate and they asked me what I had to donate, I said nothing because I literally just paid everything I had to get my vehicle back, instead of compassion, instead of giving me the benefit of doubt, I was spoken to very harshly, we might as well have said a prayer to Satan over my meal. I won't be back, and maybe the name should change, or perhaps instead of letting volunteers think they can act like they have a badge and baton, give them some literature to hand out. When someone has hit hard times you won't win them over to see things your way with authoritarianism! The food isnt that good, there's barely any vegan options that are healthy, and dont give the unemployed, homeless population the impression that they need to pay for your free food, or have to come in and wash dishes for a meal, especially since I can't because its summer, there's nowhere I can park for free with good shade, and I have a dog who would not be well in 75+° temps in a vehicle! It's not like people who never eat there and organizations don't send checks and regular people who live a perfectly normal life dont donate the suggested price. Maybe instead figure out what the food costs on average per plate charge that and have a donation jar at the end of your lines, since you don't want to feed all...

I originally came to FARM Cafe looking for volunteer opportunities, but I have become a regular due to the amazing food and community atmosphere. If you're just visiting Boone, this is the place to get a meal and gain a true sense of what our High Country home is all about!

The cafe is part of the One World Everybody Eats movement; each day a choice of two soups, a main dish, two sides, salad, dessert, and a drink are all offered in exchange for either a monetary donation or, for those with limited means, an hour of work volunteering in the cafe. Those who can afford to pay above the suggested donation amount for their meal are paying it forward to their...