Bountiful Farms & Bistro in Okahumpka has become a local gem due to its dedication to farm-to-table dining, organic produce farm store and a newly added nursery.

Gareth and Jessica Gentry met in culinary school, opened the farm in 2009, and went to work growing the healthiest, best quality produce with hopes of one day opening their own restaurant. With their newborn twins, they built Bountiful Farms, opening the bistro in 2018 after nearly a decade of hard work creating a sustainable farm. 

Earlier this year, Gareth and Jessica passed the shovel to Jessica’s sister, Ginny Feathers, and her partner, Roberto Mundo, in order to relocate to Tennessee to take care of their elderly parents.

“They sacrificed everything,” Ginny says. “Anything you can possibly imagine that a couple can sacrifice for the good of the community, they did. I saw them constantly working to create this beautiful farm, and it’s a much-needed break for them.”

Ginny has been instrumental in continuing the farm’s vision.

“When we started the farm, our goal was not just to build it to where it is now, but to really streamline it and to be able to have a multi-faceted location where customers could not only eat and dine and eat truly farm-to-table, but they could also shop at the farm store,” she says.

The farm store that provides fresh, locally grown produce and goods to the community is a cornerstone of Bountiful Farms.

“We don’t grow everything, but we grow as much as we possibly can with the ramifications of the State of Florida’s growing conditions,” Ginny says.

The store offers a variety of fruits, vegetables, locally-made jams, honey and other organic products Tuesday through Saturday.

Every Wednesday, Bountiful Farms hosts a farmers market featuring local homemade products sold by various vendors. This weekly event transforms the farm into a bustling marketplace where community members can browse and purchase a wide array of goods, from fresh produce and artisanal cheeses to handcrafted soaps and homemade baked goods.

“It’s a great way to support local and get to know people in the community,” Ginny says.

Local Roots Nursery recently partnered with Bountiful Farms.

The nursery/landscape business owned and operated at the farm by Ginny’s brother and sister-in-law, Josh and Lindsey, offers more than 200 varieties of plants, including Florida’s popular palm trees. Full installation services are also provided and it is open to the public.

Bountiful’s Bistro 

Positioned under a huge oak tree is Bountiful’s Bistro, where the farm’s and other organically grown crops are prepared into healthy, delicious dishes. Chef Alex Reyes, who is originally from Puerto Rico, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for farm-to-table cuisine. 

His journey to Bountiful Farms began five years ago when he first visited as a vendor at the farmer’s market. 

“I loved all the foods they offered at the farm,” he says. “I always appreciated their dedication to using the best quality foods.” 

Fast forward, Alex is now the executive chef at Bountiful’s Bistro, where he has introduced a range of new dishes while maintaining beloved classics like the fried green tomato BLT, Southern Chick and vegan shroom burger. 

Drawing on his Puerto Rican heritage, Alex added his own flair with dishes like PeruRican shrimp ceviche, grilled churrasco, grilled peach BBQ pulled pork and a new breakfast menu with quiche and breakfast pies. 

Other breakfast options include spoon bread tomato pie, baked oatmeal, biscuits and gravy and a Spanish omelet.

For brunch, the bistro offers chips and three-bean salsa, ‘You Can’t Hush This’ fried green tomato hush puppies, fish ceviche and loaded farm fries. There’s also a soup de jour special and desserts like bread pudding or coconut flan.

The farm fresh salads are always a hit, with options like the farmhouse salad, grilled seasonal vegetable salad, fresh and fruity salad and the grilled avocado chicken salad. All dressings are made in-house from scratch, and salad mix is harvested, washed and prepared daily, and will change depending on the growing season.

A variety of sandwiches are also available, including their signature Southern Chick, featuring a hand-pounded buttermilk marinated southern fried chicken breast with sweet onion jam, garlic aioli, toppings of choice and bourbon bacon dijon mustard on the side. Other sandwiches include the red snapper, fried green tomato BLT, roast beef with caramelized onion, grilled peach BBQ pulled pork, vegan shroom burger and the Bountiful grass-fed half-pound burger from a local ranch.

The bistro is open Wednesday through Saturday, and offers a menu and hours that change with the seasons, so be sure to visit their Facebook for an updated menu.

Meet the Chef: Alex Reyes

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Alex began his career as a dishwasher and worked his way up through various roles, including a barista for Starbucks Coffee, waiter at Uno Pizzeria & Grill, cook for Panda Express, and eventually sous chef under the prestigious Chef Gabriel E. Rivera. “‘Chef Gaby’ was the one who taught me what it means to have a passion for the culinary arts,” Alex says. He studied culinary arts in Puerto Rico and Orlando and graduated with a 4.0 GPA from the esteemed Le Cordon Bleu in 2010. Over his 17-year career, Alex has worked in renowned hotels like the Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and was part of Disney World’s Epcot Mexican Pavilion team. Alex’s wife, Vickie, along with their son, Zachary, a recent graduate of Lake Technical College and now a pastry chef at Bountiful Farms, works alongside him. 

Fried Green Tomato BLT

Fried green tomatoes on sourdough bread, garlic aioli, thick cut bacon, lettuce, and onions. Serves 2.

Grilled Seasonal Vegetable Salad 

Grilled seasonal vegetables, our Bistro blend of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, crispy pita chips, and goat cheese. Served with Parmesan herb vinaigrette. Serves 2.

Red Snapper

Light crispy Old Bay seasoned green banana battered red snapper. Served on brioche bun, lettuce, pickled onions, tomato, and creamy tartar sauce. Serves 2.