As awareness about where our food comes from and how it is cultivated grows in society, and in our valley, there are more and more opportunities to connect with farmers and the food they harvest.
Getting Albertans out to experience farms in a new way is what Alberta Open Farms Days are all about and one Bow Valley chef has a key role to play at Rootstock, a farm-to-table extravaganza including live music, a mini farmers market and locally sourced food and drink being hosted at Fisher Farms west of Didsbury.
Sous chef David Cousineau from the Bison in Banff will put together a three-course feature farm-to-table dinner for 300 people on Saturday, Aug. 22 using produce and meats sourced from local Alberta farms.
He met organizer Leah Wilson when she came into the Bison for dinner earlier this year and asked him to be part of the event.
Cousineau said he is excited to be able to go outside his bubble and be challenged to create a farm-to-table meal exclusively with ingredients from several farms involved in the event, including organic grass finished beef from Top of the Mountain Meat.
“I have a list of all the ingredients that I can get from the farms,” he said. “That makes it more interesting and exciting; at the same time it’s restrained, but that makes it fun.
“I am going to keep it simple too, because I think sometimes simple is better to showcase the product.”
By showcasing fresh fruits, vegetables and meat products, the event also showcases the farms and that is what Rootstock: A Field Fresh Experience is all about.
The Food Water Wellness Foundation and Fisher Farms are hosting Rootstock with all proceeds set to go towards the new online initiative We All Grow. The aim of We All Grow is to foster an online community to share and access a network of organic agricultural knowledge in Alberta.
Throughout the dinner event organizers will profile Alberta farmers who are creating a livelihood through innovative, sustainable and resilient farming systems and facilitating the long-term viability of the Alberta family farm and fostering stewardship of the land.
That includes host and owner of Fisher Farms, Nolan Fisher, who will guide people on a tour of his fields to introduce the various produce that will be featured on the menu.
“Our customers tell us they love coming out to the farm and seeing where their food is grown,” said Fisher. “Rootstock will be a great opportunity to meet more Albertans who share our passion for healthy food systems and continuous learning.”
A mini farmers market will also welcome those attending when they arrive to showcase their locally made products, along with a cocktail hour featuring Fallentimber Meadery offerings.
The event will be topped off with a performance by Alberta band Cowpuncher as well as Nadine Kellman and the Black Wonders, Dominique Fricot and the Alright Gents.
Transportation to the event from Calgary, Red Deer and Sylvan Lake is included in the price of the $150 ticket. Go to www.fisherfarms.net/rootstock/ to purchase, or www.albertafarmdays.com for more information on Alberta Farm Days.
