A Seat at the Table

The 2010 Inaugural Dinner in the Fields

more photos and thanks

On Saturday evening, July 17, 2010, more than 80 people participated in the inaugural “A Seat at the Table” local food feast and celebration held al fresco in the Poughkeepsie Farm Project farm fields. This unique event brought together new and old friends, local food purveyors and Hudson Valley’s celebrated chefs Charlie and Megan Fells of the Artist’s Palate, and afforded a unique opportunity to explore the connection between the earth and the food available to our community.  Guests were seated at long, linen-draped tables in the middle of the fields, while sipping local wines and eating a five-course family style meal using fresh, local ingredients for the meal. This unique event honored the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table and celebrated community connections and efforts to build a just and sustainable food system.  

video of highlights

We want to thank all those whose help make this memorable and lasting experience possible – funds raised help us continue our work to improve access to fresh food for our low-income neighbors and access to healthy food learning experiences for local youth. We especially thank Amy Pelletier Clark and Amy Sherman, co-chairs, for their vision, leadership and commitment.

Numerous local purveyors were the literal founders of the feast, providing Hudson Valley’s freshest and most delicious fare, including Bread Alone Bakery, Coach Farm, David Page / Drumlin Farms, Mother Earth’s Storehouse, Murray’s Chicken, Poughkeepsie Farm Project, Ronnybrook Farm Dairy, Sheep Crossing Farm, Sprout Creek Farm, Wild Hive Farm, Bakery and Café, Arlington Wine and Liquor, Millbrook Vineyards and Winery and Stoutridge Vineyard.

We are grateful for the generous financial and in-kind support of our sponsors, including Chronogram; Culinary Institute of America; Facial Plastic, Reconstructive & Laser Surgery, PLLC; Hudson Valley Chronic; Prime Print Shop; and Vassar College, for their financial and in-kind support.  

There are many more donors, volunteers, board members, guests, staff and interns who played significant roles that contributed to the great success of this event – you know who you are, and we appreciate you!