Krause Berry Farms hosts Metro Vancouver Feast of Fields

By Ronda Payne, Langley Advance September 8, 2011

Attendees at the Feast of Fields Aug. 3 Sneak Peek enjoyed the weather and sampled the fare from participants.

Photograph by: Submitted photo, for Langley Advance

The connection between field and plate is all too often lost in our modern microwave-dinner, coffee-and-donut-breakfast world.

There is no shortage of sources touting the benefits of eating healthy, local, and unprocessed food, but some still hold the perception that eating that way can't possibly taste good.

Those folks don't know what they are missing.

To help create a love of local, healthy and delicious food, Farm Folk City Folk, a not for profit developed to support sustainable food sources, created their annual fundraiser, Feast of Fields.

Now in its 17th year, Metro Vancouver Feast of Fields brings food lovers to a gastronomic gala where visitors have four hours to wander and sample the delights from Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley restaurants, distillers, wineries, and farms.

Sister events are held in the Okanagan and on Vancouver Island.

This year's event will be held at Krause Berry Farms on Sunday, Sept. 11, but in the past, tickets have sold out quickly. No tickets are sold at the event itself.

Exposed to the hospitality industry from a young age and highly involved in the food industry, Metro Vancouver Feast of Fields coordinator Dana Reinhardt is excited about the event: "It is a fantastic space for it [at Krause Berry Farms]," she noted. "It's going to be one of the best ever."

A number of farms request to host the event each year.

"Some of the top restaurants from Vancouver and from Metro Vancouver and the Valley are part of this year," said Reinhardt.

With more than 60 participants, including Vancouverbased restaurants Wild Rice and Bishop's, Pemberton Distillers, Port Moody's Onyx Steakhouse, and locals Vista D'oro Farms and Lotusland Winery, attendees should bring an appetite.

Also partners are Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) and Shared Harvest.

"You'll come in, get a wine glass and a linen napkin you use for the entire event," Reinhardt explained.

With a focus on green, most food will be served in "edible dishes" like cucumber cups or endive spears.

As well as providing great food and drink, there will also be live music and a silent auction.

Funds raised go to support the activities of Farm Folk City Folk, to increase awareness of the importance of local, sustainable food, the land it's grown on, and the farmers who produce it.

Anyone who enjoys food and wants to support farmers will enjoy Feast of Fields, according to Reinhardt.

"Because it's your neighbourhood, it's your community, it's your business community, it's the livelihood of your community," she said.

A sneak peek of the event was held on Aug. 3, which Reinhardt felt was very successful. MP Mark Warawa was in attendance with his wife Diane and about 20 other people.

Tickets for Feast of Fields are $85 for adults, $15 for kids seven to 12, and free for kids under seven, but food is definitely geared towards adult tastebuds.

Find out more or buy tickets at feastoffields.com.

editorial@langleyadvance.com