Farm to Table feast celebrates community and raises funds for local farms
Thursday, December 1, 2016
The Good Farm Fund is excited to host its Third Annual Winter Feast on Thursday, December 8 from 5-9 pm. This year’s farm-to-table dinner will be held at Barra of Mendocino Event Center at 7051 North State Street in Redwood Valley, and will feature locally raised meat, produce, cheese, grain, beer, wine, and cider. There will also be live music by The Thin Air String Band – known for their jazzy/west coast-punkgrass style – and a silent auction packed with unique local items ideal for holiday giving.
This dinner is back by popular demand after selling out last year. Attendees proclaimed it a highlight of the holiday season, with plenty of feel-good cheer and an abundance of local food and drink to enjoy at an affordable price.
“This dinner is about celebrating all the hard work that farmers do throughout the year and the customers who support us,” says Caroline Radice of Black Dog Farm & Catering, one of the event coordinators. “The best way to do that is enjoy delicious local food together, while raising funds to help local farms expand!” Radice and husband Jason Pluck cater the event with the help of many volunteers. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options will be available.
Proceeds will go toward the Good Farm Fund’s small grant program for local farms, as well as the Ukiah Farmers Market Food Stamp Match program, which makes nutritious food affordable for all. The event is sponsored by North Coast Opportunities, Inc. (NCO), MendoLake Credit Union, First Five, Ukiah Natural Foods Co-Op, the MendoLake Food Hub, and Thompson's Party Rentals.
In its first year, the Good Farm Fund awarded a total of $7,000 in farm grants to nine local farms. Now in its second year of accepting applications, the Good Farm Fund is poised to award $20,000 in grants. Applications were due in October, and grant recipients will be at the dinner to talk about the critical projects that have been or will be supported by the fund.
Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door; youth 15 and under are $15. Tickets can be purchased at the Westside Renaissance Market, the Mendocino Book Company, the Ukiah Farmers Market, The Spot Coffee in Redwood Valley, or online at www.goodfarmfund.org.
The Good Farm Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of NCO, a 501(c)3 Community Action Agency serving Lake and Mendocino Counties.
For more information, to sign up to volunteer, or to donate items to the auction, please email goodfarmfund@gmail.com.