Feast at the Farm

Saturday, July 16, local food, local chefs, and local musicians will all be a part of the second annual Farm Fresh Feast, presented by Sustainable Nantucket.

The theme of this year's Feast is "Nantucket Grown," featuring a family-style gourmet menu prepared by Simply-With-Style Catering and crafted with locally sourced foods, including a Nantucket Bay Scallop Ceviche, Herb-Crusted Dayboat Cod from Nantucket Fresh Catch with a Bartlett Farm-Fresh Tomato-Basil Salsa, and Tri-colored Potato Salad with Lavender Vinaigrette from Moors End Farm.

A cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, music by Nantucket's own The Shep Cats, some very special surprise entertainment, and dancing under the stars will round out this magical evening.  The creativity of staff and volunteers combined with the special character of our community in a unique venue will make this a night to remember.  This year a record number of local food producers have donated to the menu, including fresh fish from Ruthie B Fishing Corp. and Salty Balls Seafood.

Last year's event was a rousing success, with more than 200 people in attendance.  "People had a great time last year," said Steve Slosek, the proprietor of Moors End Farm, "it was quite an event.  Sustainable Nantucket's Farm Fresh Feast is a great way to bring awareness to Nantucket's farms so that the general public can get a chance to experience it; it's a great event and we’re honored to be hosting it again this year."  Sustainable Nantucket's Executive Director, Michelle Whelan, echoed that sentiment, pointing out that last year the event was completely sold out despite being its inaugural year: "I heard some people say it was the best event they'd ever been to on the island.  They talked about how great it felt to be out on the farm and to experience a different aspect of Nantucket."

This year's feast promises to equal last year's in terms of excitement. "During our busy summer here on the island, this is a night to enjoy the beautiful place we all love," commented Victoria McManus, who with her co-chair, Valerie Norton, planned the evening to highlight local food and local talent.
The evening's silent and live auctions will contain items ranging from a Fuji bicycle, to golf at Sankaty Head, to all-inclusive travel packages and tickets to the Locally Grown Dinner Series at American Seasons, Straight Wharf Restaurant and the Club Car.

The main focus of the benefit will be on Sustainable Nantucket's Farm to School Program and the large-scale garden that the organization is currently constructing behind the Nantucket Public Schools.  The garden will provide fresh produce to the NPS Food Services Department while also providing numerous hands-on educational opportunities to students of all ages.

Bring a camera and come at 5:30 pm if you'd like our photographer, Mai Norton, to guide you to some prime photo op sites on the farm before she focuses on our guests; and don't forget your dancing shoes to enjoy the live music provided by Nantucket's own home-grown talent The Shep Cats, fresh out of the recording studio with a brand new CD entitled Across the Firing Line – they'll have you dancing under the stars all night long, and there's no better way to cap off a magical evening.

Individual tickets are $225; ten-person sponsorship tables and lower level sponsorship seating are also available. Tickets and additional details for the event, including alternative transportation to Moors End Farm, are available online at www.sustainablenantucket.org, by phone 508.228.3399. All proceeds from this event will go to support Sustainable Nantucket's on-going community programs.
Sustainable Nantucket is cultivating a healthy Nantucket by promoting a more locally-based and self-reliant food system and stronger island economy.