Manchester to host the 2023 Farm to Table Fabulous Feast

The 2018 Farm to Table Dinner held at Alber Orchard in Manchester was a success, thanks to community support! And now it’s Manchester’s turn to host this great event again.

submitted by Ruth VanBogelen

The eighth annual Farm to Table Fabulous Feast will be in Manchester this summer. This event is a fund-raiser for farmers’ markets in Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester, and Stockbridge (5 Healthy Towns region) and features food from local farms prepared by local chefs. The dinner is typically on a Sunday late afternoon in late August to mid September.

While much of the planning and execution is done by people from all five towns, a key step for each event is to decide the location for the event and the date. On Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 10 am in the Village Room (below the Library) at 912 City Rd, we invite area residents to come and provide ideas for the location in Manchester and the date. In 2018 Manchester hosted the event, which was held at Alber Orchard and Cider Mill in mid September.

Here are some parameters for the location:
• Space for 150–175 dinner guests, which needs to be covered (usually a large tent)
• Space for chefs to work and plate appetizers, salad, main course, and dessert, also covered
• Space for silent auction items
• Electricity

If you have ideas for the location and/or date, please come to the meeting. If you cannot attend this brainstorming meeting but have ideas, please email 48158food@gmail.com.

In March, once the location and date are set, planning for the event will begin and we’ll be looking for volunteers to help. In addition, many volunteers will be needed the day of the event. Let us know if you want to be on the email to get updates by reaching out at 48158food@gmail.com.

Ruth VanBogelen and Laura Wohlgemuth have served on committees for this event for many years and will help get this year’s event started. There is also a crew from the other towns that helps every year.

Note – The Board of Directors for Acorn Farmers’ Market is working on plans for a summer farmers’ market in Manchester. Watch for updates from Acorn!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.