Our Story

The Farm

Tait Farm is a diversified family farm in central Pennsylvania located 7 miles east of downtown State College, home to Penn State University. Tait Farm Foods Inc. is a multi-faceted company occupying a portion of the farm property. It has evolved enormously over the years while staying dedicated to a mission to be stewards of the land.

Tait Farm Foods is comprised of 8 acres of certified organic vegetables, fruits, and greenhouse production that currently serves our own on-farm retail store, The Harvest Shop & Greenhouse. In prior years, we have maintained a community supported agriculture program (CSA) named Community Harvest, and we have participated in seasonal, community farmers markets.

History

Marian and Elton Tait purchased the farm in 1950. They were both Penn State graduates working for Agricultural Extension. Their new hobby farm was just the place to raise their 3 children (Sandy, David, and John), as well as sheep, chickens, hogs, horses, a few Basset Hound dogs, and Christmas trees.

In the late 1970’s, the 2 prodigal sons left their day jobs and decided to return to the family farm to make a living off the land. Perennial crops of raspberries, asparagus, apples, and more Christmas trees followed. By the mid-1980’s, Tait Farm was the local place to come for pick-your-own crops, Christmas trees, and dogs.

The Birth of Tait Farm Foods

In the summer of 1986, a bumper crop of raspberries was hanging on the canes while it rained buckets for nearly 2 weeks. Rather than allow the fruit to rot, it was picked and frozen for winter sales. After several unsuccessful attempts to sell the frozen raspberries, a family friend reminded David Tait of an old Colonial beverage called Raspberry Shrub.

The Bottled Evolution of Tait Farm Raspberry Shrub

Shrub is made by preserving fresh fruit in vinegar and sweetening it with sugar. Most often, this concentrate is then mixed with sparkling water, iced tea, lemonade, or distilled spirits to make a delicious sweet, tart beverage. It was the perfect solution! The first bottles of Tait Farm Foods Raspberry Shrub were made in David’s kitchen in 1987. Since that time, Tait Farm Foods Inc. has grown into a line of more than 65 specialty food products.

Tait Farm Foods Today

Today, our culinary development team is comprised of company president, Kim Tait and product development manager, Cindy Tait Law. This dynamic duo has successfully envisioned, developed, and curated each product we make with careful attention to the sourcing of every all-natural ingredient. Additionally, our team has stayed true to the holistic process of making each item in small batches by hand, preserving the unique, artisanal quality that people have come to expect from Tait Farm Foods.

Up until 2014, manufacturing was done on the farm in the original bank barn. Our products continue to be made the same way at a dedicated production facility just 2 miles down the road in the nearby village of Boalsburg. Tait Farm Foods products are sold at our farm destination, through this website, and to hundreds of specialty food retailers and restaurants across the country.

The Harvest Shop & Greenhouse

The Harvest Shop is a unique destination throughout the year. In addition to being the showcase for Tait Farm’s specialty foods and other Pennsylvania-made food products, we represent the work of many regional artisans. Along with seasonally inspired goods and gifts for the kitchen, home and garden, the shop is always changing and promises to be fresh and new with each visit.

Cindy Tait Law, Product Development Manager

Tait Farm’s Greenhouse is truly the “secret garden” for our region. An ideal stop for the cottage and kitchen gardener, we strive to be recognized for the quality of our plants, products, and customer service. Choose from a great selection of seeds, herbs, vegetable seedlings and other backyard edibles, as well as unusual annuals and unique perennials that include heirloom roses, pollinators and native plants. We also offer gardening supplies, a variety of exceptional pots, planted containers, and decorative stoneware that will add beauty to any garden design.

Our local website, TaitFarmFoodsLocal.com is for locals and those visiting the area, to understand all the happenings at Tait Farm. If desired, you may shop online for easy pickup at the farm.