TOLLAND — The Tolland Agricultural Commission is hosting a farm-to-table dinner with locally grown food from five local farms in September.
Proceeds from the event, set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Lodge at Crandall Park, will benefit the Tolland Food Pantry.
Joe Matteis, chairman of the Agricultural Commission and owner of Brookside Garden Center and Brookside Acres, said the proceeds from the event would give those families who use the food pantry vouchers to buy fresh produce at participating farms.
He added it’s also an opportunity to bring attention to local farms as several have closed over the past 20 years.
“We want to save the few farms that we have,” he said.
Town farms participating in the event are Brookside Acres, Kollas Orchard, and The Farm Stand at Lemek Farm. Other farms also participating are the Varga Family Farm in Mansfield and Oakridge Dairy in Ellington.
Councilwoman Tammy Nuccio said Tolland used to be a big farming community.
“In the early ’90s a lot of farms got sold for subdivisions,” she said. “We have only a few farms left. It will be good to showcase some of the farms that we have so maybe people will think to go to them for product.”
She also added that it’s an important event to benefit the food pantry.
Councilwoman Brenda Falusi said the event helps both those who rely on the food pantry and the local farms by having the funding go toward its fresh produce.
The event is openonly to those ages 21 and older because of alcoholic beverages are to be served, Falusi said. Cassidy Hill Vineyard in Coventry and the Connecticut Valley Brewing Company in South Windsor will be participating.
According to a menu of the dinner, entrees will include chicken corn chowder, eggplant involtini, caprese salad, grilled beef, and caramel apple bread pudding.
Tickets are $100 per person and are on sale through Thursday, Aug. 29. Tickets can be purchased at the Human Services Department at the Hicks Memorial Municipal Center, Brookside Garden Center at 46 Hartford Tpke., and Tolland Red & White at 46 Tolland Green.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and are nonrefundable. For more information, contact the Human Services Department at 860-871-3648.
