Happy fall to you all :)

I want to send out a big THANKS from the Food Action Network to all the folks to who made our 3rd annual Fall Faire such a great success!
With over two dozen farmers, food producers and craftspeople selling their beautiful wares, an amazing range of fun activities for the kids, live music from the All Local Rockers (that's right - the ALRs!), 5 faire contests with spectacular prizes, and the delicious & delectable organic food concession by Tawha - the day was a treat for all who came and helped us raise funds for our food action projects throughout the year. (Yup, we actually raise a couple hundred bucks this year! Not bad for an event designed for fun, rather than profit!)
Congratulations to the winners of our contests - I know that our judges had a really great time feasting with both their eyes and their tastebuds on all the amazing entries.

Winners:
Contest 1: Most Local & Delicious Pie ---> the Dorey Clan for their Savoury Pumpkin Pie (see attached pic)
Contest 2: Tastiest Local Preserve ---> Linda & Gabriel from Green Room for their Very Salty Dilly Dill Pickles
Contest 3: Biggest Pumpkin or Squash ---> Bruce Doyle for his absolutely humongous Pumpkin (see attached pic)
Contest 4: Best Dressed Zucchini ---> Jasmine & Ocean for their beautiful Meadow Mary & Her Pet piece of art
Contest 5: Most Unique Looking Vegetable ---> Bruce & Diane for their Weird Butternut (it was rather weird ;)
and honourable mention goes to Kiran Chauhan for his "Jo-Jak the Cucumber Caterpillar' creation. (contest 4)

Congrats also to the winner of our door prize basket - Catrina Persoon! Lucky lucky (she told me that as she walked out, she had a feeling that the prize would be hers, even though she doesn't usually win contests like that).

Special thanks to the fine local businesses and organizations who gave their support:
Wilson Creek Market Place IGA, Sage Mountain Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jeremy Hamp Myofascial Release, Kiss My Glass Studio, Your Choice Organics, Pepper Creek Pizza, Jean's Organic, Unwind Knit & Fibre Lounge, Sunshine Coast Fruit Tree Project, Hankettes, Galiano Italiano Market, and the Roberts Creek Community Association.

Abundant gratitude goes out to the many volunteers who gave freely of the time and energy, and all the farmers and food producers, without which there would be no faire (and no local food!) We'll see you all next year ... mark the first Sunday in October on your calendars now!

Happy harvesting!
Nadi

ps - World Food Day is coming up October 16th. Consider attending the "Empty Bowls" Lunch event put on by the Coast Potters. 11:30 - 2:30 at the Roberts Creek Hall - $20 gets you a beautiful locally made pottery bowl, soup, bread, beverage and dessert. Kids eat for only $10. Proceeds to the Food Bank. Tickets available at: Gift of the Eagle Gallery, Gibsons, Roberts Creek General Store, and Windsong in Sechelt. Call 604.740.0530 for more info.