Gathered together to share a meal with a common goal to contribute to the fight against food insecurity, Thursday evening’s Farm to Fork event raised enough funds to provide over 70,0000 meals for local hunger initiatives. Hosted by Farmers and Merchants Bank with the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas (NCA), the evening featured locally sourced ingredients prepared into a 4 course meal by local restaurants.
Farmers who contributed locally grown food for the event
Rain caused the original plan of an outdoor event to be quickly reconfigured inside the lobby of Farmers and Merchants Bank on Hickory St. in Mountain Home into a farm style table event with nearly 100 in attendance. Chefs from PJ’s, Little Bs, Raps Barren, The Sands, Gastons, Stories and more worked together to prepare the locally sourced foods that included a special wine pairing with each course.
Farmers and Merchants Bank Market President, Sally Gilbert spoke to KTLO News at the dinner and expressed her joy in the collaborative effort that made the evening possible.
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Gilbert and Quick address those in attendance
A small army of 40 volunteers from Farmers and Merchants and the Food Bank where on hand to offer a first class experience to those in attendance. Food Bank CEO, Jeff Quick gave preliminary estimates on fundraising totals as well as the importance of supporting local farms.
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Rapps Barren Co founder, Russell Tucker says the pairing of area sourced ingredients with fine cuisine made the meal one of the best hes partaken in.
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click to download audioFunds raised from the event will go to support the Food Bank’s efforts in combating local hunger as well as ongoing education programs to help give those in need a hand up. Gilbert and Quick say that from the success of the night they plan to continue to partner together to create unique experiences that foster fellowship and giving in the community.
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