Frederick County's Food & Beverage Economy

FredCo Eats celebrates the full scope of Frederick County's food economy - from agriculture to production to the dining experience. The brand is powered through the contributions of numerous stakeholders:

• Restaurants, farms, producers, food and beverage manufacturers, and other local food businesses
• Support organizations working to strengthen food system infrastructure
• Businesses from other sectors who value food businesses for their impact on quality of life, talent attraction, and company culture
• Passionate residents and food enthusiasts who support all-things-local

We hope you'll agree that Frederick County's food economy is worth noting. 

FredCo Farms

More than 15 Virginia Century Farms operate in Frederick County, agritourism is growing, and smaller, family-run farms dot the landscape, offering opportunities for residents to know their farmer personally. Learn more about local farms, markets, and orchards here.

In 2024, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting produced $33.8 million in GDP for Frederick County, Virginia, a comprehensive measure of regional economic activity. As of 2025Q3, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting in Frederick County, Virginia are estimated to make $42.5 million in annual purchases from suppliers in the United States with about 19% or $8.0 million of these purchases being made from businesses located in Frederick County, Virginia.

Get to know Frederick County Farms through these upcoming events hosted by the Frederick County Homesteaders.

Frederick County Farm Hop: April 18, 2026

Location: Frederick County Fairgrounds

A one-day celebration of local agriculture, community, and hands-on learning in the Shenandoah Valley. The Spring Farm Hop brings farms, makers, artisans, food trucks, and agricultural organizations together in one convenient location, creating an accessible, family-friendly alternative to a traditional farm crawl. Instead of traveling farm to farm, attendees can “hop” from booth to booth—meeting farmers, seeing animals up close, shopping local goods, and learning directly from those stewarding the land.

Contact FrederickCountyHomesteaders.com for details.

Love Your Farmer Week: June 14-20

Location: Participating farms across Frederick County

Love Your Farmer Week is a community-wide effort to love and support our local homesteaders while bridging the gap between those who grow our food and those who consume it.

Throughout the week, neighbors will be invited to volunteer alongside participating farms across Frederick County—helping with real, hands-on work where it’s needed most. Think gardens, barns, fences, fields… and the kind of shared labor that once defined rural life.

Contact FrederickCountyHomesteaders.com for details.

^{Photo: Emily Warren of Homestead Farm at Fruit Hill Orchard and Samantha Armel of Frederick County Homesteaders.} 

FredCo Made

More than 1,600 people are employed in Frederick County’s food manufacturing sector, making it one of the County’s most important and resilient industries.* From globally recognized brands to homegrown success stories, Frederick County has built a strong foundation for food production, processing, and distribution.

Industry leaders such as HP Hood, 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, Foodsource, Miller Milling, and Kraft Heinz operate in Frederick County, leveraging our strategic location, skilled workforce, and business-friendly environment. These companies benefit from direct access to major highways, proximity to East Coast markets, and strong connections to regional agricultural producers.

Frederick County is also home to locally grown success stories that reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of our region. Businesses like Shawnee Springs Market & Cannery and Garber’s Ice Cream have scaled their operations while maintaining deep ties to the agricultural economy. Their growth demonstrates how Frederick County supports companies at every stage — from startup to expansion.

With a Location Quotient of 3.7, the industry is highly concentrated here — nearly four times more so than the national average. The sector is projected to continue expanding, with 1.7% forecasted annual growth in the coming years.

The industry’s supply chain impact is equally significant. As of 2025 Q3, food manufacturing establishments in Frederick County are estimated to generate $1.7 billion in annual purchases from suppliers across the United States, with approximately 19% — or $300 million — spent directly with businesses located within Frederick County. This local purchasing power reinforces the County’s business ecosystem, supporting suppliers, service providers, transportation companies, and agricultural producers.

 Learn more about local food manufacturing here.

* JobsEQ by Chmura

FredCo Eats: A Growing Culinary Economy

Frederick County’s restaurant industry is a dynamic and expanding part of our local economy. With 2,062 people employed in Restaurants and Other Eating Places, the sector supports a wide range of jobs — from culinary professionals and hospitality managers to suppliers, distributors, and service providers.

Over the ten years ending in 2024, employment in the restaurant sector grew by 311 jobs. After adjusting for national growth trends and industry mix, 134 of those jobs were attributed to local competitiveness, meaning Frederick County’s restaurant industry outperformed its national counterpart during this period. This sustained growth reflects strong consumer demand, entrepreneurial energy, and a supportive business environment.

The industry’s footprint continues to expand. In 2024, Frederick County was home to 107 restaurant establishments, up from 89 in 2014 — a nearly 20% increase over ten years. This steady growth demonstrates both market confidence and opportunity for continued investment.

Economic Impact

Restaurants and Other Eating Places produced $89.9 million in GDP for Frederick County in 2024, reinforcing the sector’s importance as both a job creator and an economic driver.

The restaurant industry also plays a significant role in strengthening the local business ecosystem. As of 2025 Q3, establishments in Frederick County are estimated to generate $87.2 million in annual purchases from suppliers across the United States, with approximately 43% — or $37.2 million — spent directly with businesses located within Frederick County.

This high level of local purchasing underscores the industry’s strong multiplier effect. Restaurants support local farms, food manufacturers, distributors, maintenance providers, professional services, and more — keeping dollars circulating within the County and reinforcing our broader food and beverage economy.

FredCo Eats Restaurant Week

Each year, FredCo Eats Restaurant Week highlights the strength and diversity of our culinary community. As a strategic economic development initiative, the campaign generates visibility for participating establishments, encourages customer engagement, and drives traffic to locally owned restaurants.

Restaurant Week supports small business sustainability, strengthens brand recognition, and reinforces the importance of dining local. It also enhances Frederick County’s reputation as a destination for food, hospitality, and quality experiences — an important factor for both tourism and talent attraction.

Quality of Place

A vibrant restaurant scene is essential to economic competitiveness. Businesses evaluating relocation or expansion consider workforce amenities and lifestyle assets alongside infrastructure and logistics. Frederick County’s growing and diverse dining options contribute directly to talent attraction and retention, making our community more attractive to both employers and employees.

From farm to production to fork, Frederick County’s food ecosystem is interconnected, expanding, and built for long-term success.

We'd love to connect with you!

Please contact us to see how Frederick County can be the right fit for your business.