Farm to Fork dinner is back for a second helping this year.
Kelly Hodgins, who grew up in Powell River, is once again organizing the Farm to Fork event Sunday, August 30 at her parents’ farm to promote local-food producers and help provide food security for a group of low-income seniors in the community.
“This is not just a celebratory dinner,” said Hodgins, who adds a strong social justice element to the event. “I wanted to make sure that we weren’t just celebrating farmers and the noble and important work they do, but also raising awareness and a conversation about food insecurity realities.”
Sixty diners will enjoy four courses cooked by three chefs. The meal celebrates food from within 50 miles of Powell River.
“I didn’t even know that within our 50-mile diet we’ve got gin from a distillery in Comox, we’ve got sturgeon caviar and smoked steelhead,” said Hodgins, who recently finished a masters degree in food security at University of Guelph.
The banquet includes two hors d’oeuvres by Jacqueline Huddleston of Ecossentials, an appetizer by Kelly Belanger of Edie Ray’s Café, a main course by Roy Blackwell of Boardwalk Restaurant and dessert by Mackenzie Adamson of SassyMacks Ice Cream.
“The community response is tremendous and everyone gets involved in some way,” said Hodgins, “whether it’s farmers donating ingredients or chefs donating their talent and time.”
Hodgins, currently working for the Feeding Nine Billion Project in Ontario, a food-security project in which students and academics work together to produce food-security solutions, said local volunteers Megan Cole and Rob Gilchrist helped organize the event.
This year’s dinner sold out in five days and ticket holders will enjoy live music and drink pairings donated by Townsite Brewing and Courtenay’s Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery.
Last year’s event raised roughly $3,000 toward a nutrition-coupon program that helps low-income seniors in Powell River purchase local, fresh food from the Open Air Farmers’ Market, said Hodgins. This year’s proceeds will go toward the program as well, she said.
Farm to Fork will be held rain or shine at Hodgins Farm on Valley Road.
“We want local food to live and grow,” said Hodgins. “We will be out doing the rain dance if it rains.”
