This may have been the most successful Sharing the Bounty yet.
Patrona was packed with community gardeners, farmers, land owners, donors and people ready to get involved in the local food system.
The evening started out with music by Marcos Peredia, creating a relaxed community atmosphere for people to gather around the appetizers of Sea Palm with Red Chili, French Deviled Eggs and Stinging Nettle Croquette, as well as tantilizing wines from Husch Vineyards, Campovida and Nelson Family Vineyards.
As people settled into their seats, they were greeted by a slideshow with pictures from the community gardens and a salad of Mixed greens, fava leaves, arugula, apples, sun chokes, ramps, beets, radishes and lemon dressing, with Schat's rolls made with local Red Fife flour, accompanied by a Truett Hurst from Dark Horse Vineyards and Chenin Blanc from Husch.
Miles Gordon gave everyone an overview of what the Gardens Project does and an introduction to the local food system as people finished their salads. We have 11 new community gardens and 8 new school gardens, creating a countywide network of 32 community and 35 school gardens and this number is growing all the time with support from community members like those at Sharing the Bounty!
This talk was followed by the main course: a choice of Spiced Lamb Shoulder or Spring Greens Gratin and Lentils, both on a Sonora Cracker and topped with delicious Goat Cheese Sauce.
The goat cheese sauce was so good most people forgot about dessert until it arrived, a beautiful Pomelo Pie with Honey Walnut Crust, topped with whipped cream, that was tart and flavorful.
Thank you to everyone who attended for your support, and to the community and school gardens, farmers, food producers, foragers and winemakers who provided the food and wine for this meal!
You made this event a great success and we appreciate your involvement in creating a thriving local food system!
Cleveland Lane Community Garden
MCOE Youth Garden
Pomolita School Garden
Ecology Action
Fairall's Farm
Filigreen Farm
Green Uprising at Blackberry Bend
Love Farms
Lover's Lane Farm
Magruder Ranch
Mendocino Grain Project
Mendocino Organics
Ocean Harvest Se Vegetable Co.
Owen Family Farm
Peggy Backup's Garden
Redtail Ranch
Schat's Bakery
Shamrock Artisan Goat Cheese & Summer Breeze Ranch
Smart's Mountain Farm
Stella Cadente Olive Oil Company
Dave's Bike Shop
Campovida
Husch Vineyards
Nelson Family Vineyards
Dark Horse Vineyards
You can see more photos here