Founding Farmers a great concept in sustainable cooking

Agraria opened on the Georgetown waterfront in 2006 as one of the first local restaurants to emphasize the farm-to-table concept. But it struggled to get traction, as an appealing menu and a gorgeous interior couldn’t compensate for its early game of musical chefs, or a location that’s less than welcoming in the winter months.

This fall, its owner, the North Dakota Farmers Union, went back to the well, opening Founding Farmers in the International Monetary Fund building downtown. And business hasn’t been hard to come by: A central location, cozy interior and approachable cuisine have led to a packed house and lunch and dinner almost from the get-go.