Farmer and Fork

Onsite café providing fresh seasonal lunch offerings

Café Hours: Daily 11 AM–4 PM
Full Lunch Menu: 11 AM–3:30 PM
Drinks, Dessert, and Grab & Go Items: 3:30 PM–4 PM

See Daily Menu and Place Order Online

Orders can be placed in-person in the café or online for pick up at your selected time.

Effective January 1, 2026, Farmer and the Fork menus and concessions are entirely nut-free.  Please note, that some food ingredients may be processed in facilities that also handle nuts.

Open seven days a week, the Farmer and the Fork café offers exceptional on-site lunch for Garden visitors. A creative and carefully crafted menu features sandwiches, bowls, salads, soups, kids fare, and dessert, all prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. With a selection of local beer on tap and an array of non-alcoholic beverage options, there’s something for everyone when you enjoy lunch out at the Garden. During warm weather months, guests are welcome to dine on the terrace and take in spectacular views of the Wachusett Reservoir. Farmer and the Fork does not accept reservations.

Farmer and the Fork is managed by Peppers Artful Events, a Northborough-based catering company with a commitment to sustainability. In addition to maintaining partnerships with local farms, Peppers sources produce from its own hydroponic Freight Farm.

Elegant Picnics

Enjoy a refined outdoor dining experience with our specially curated picnic menu, made to order and ready for convenient pick up–table included! Choose your ideal spot within the Garden and savor a leisurely meal surrounded by nature’s beauty. Available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, by advance order only. Garden Admission not included.

Place Your Picnic Order Here

Scroll to bottom of page for Picnic Menu and select a date. After selecting a date, select from available time, menu, and rental options to add to cart.

people gathered for a picnic on the garden's lawn

Every Friday–Sunday from May 15 through September 27. Select your pickup time from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Picnic orders close the Tuesday prior to each weekend.

  • Choice of blanket, low portable picnic table, or both.
  • Choice of meals for up to 4 people
  • All selected menu items will be packed in a cooler bag ready for pickup at your selected time
  • Map showing designated picnic areas throughout the Garden

The Garden allows guests to bring their own food, but all alcohol must be purchased onsite. To use our portable picnic tables or blankets, you must place a picnic order.

Your order can be enjoyed indoors at any table in the café or other public seating areas.

Pick up your table or blanket and cooler bag in the café at your selected time – no need to wait in line. The café will hold an ID from your party until you return all items. When packing up, place all trash and alcohol bottles back inside cooler. Items must be returned to the café by 4 p.m.

Want to level up your dining experience? Explore Garden Dining Series.