The evening of July 21st was simply enchanting, and the Farm to Fork event was so rich with heart, fine food, and beauty. On a private farm overlooking a valley meadow and cresting Appalachian Mountains, we gathered in a wide-and-worn cattle barn, lit with string-lights and adorned with donated local flowers. With tables and tents fanning the barn on both sides, we celebrated the bounty of our local-food system, enjoyed music, meaningful storytelling, and true connection. Together we created a small village with 150 guests, with catering teams and chefs buzzing about, and over 30 volunteers in near-constant motion.
At the heart of the fundraiser was a common purpose: To come together in support of Bounty & Soul’s work to provide farm-fresh food and whole-food staples to those in our mountain community who need it most. Currently, Bounty & Soul proudly distributes free produce and farm-fresh food to 2,000 people per week at our Produce to the People Markets (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays), partnering with 46+ local farms and regional grocers, and MANNA Food Bank to do so.
With storytelling as a theme, we heard from long-time market participant Cristal; from volunteer Austin Brown; from founder Ali Casparian; board member Tom Tracy; and board director Dave Charlton; all of whom painted a vivid portrait of the mission, value and impact of Bounty & Soul on a personal level.
And, of course, the food was incredible. Appetizers and desserts were prepared and served by community volunteers. And chef-prepared tapas featured local food from local farms: Chef Peter Pollay of Posana prepared pumpkin salad with pumpkins grown by Lee’s One Fortune Farm in Marion; Chef Brian Crow of Chestnut Restaurant served summer squash pie with squash grown by Root Cause Farm in Fairview; and Chef Hector Diaz of Salsa’s, Modesto and Bomba prepared eggplant torta with eggplant grown by Tierra Fertil Coop in Hendersonville. Each Chef-Farmer partnership shared their understanding of food as caring, food as connection, food as solidarity. It was an inspired night.
An event like this– just like our work distributing food every week – takes a village of people who care. Farm to Fork was truly a reflection of the love and community support that fuels our nonprofit week by week, and a true celebration of our local food system.
You are all essential to this work, and because of your support we were able to raise over $36,000 dollars – all of which goes right back to the community through our direct services.
Thank you, every one of you – from our event sponsors to our volunteers, ticket holders, farmers and chefs – for contributing, for participating, for connecting and sharing in this most magical evening. You are the heart of Bounty & Soul and we are so truly thankful.
For those who were unable to attend, please consider making a donation to support our fundraising efforts.