Watauga County Cooperative Extension Center

Celebrate High Country Food Day

Community events for all on Wednesday, October 24

In spite of our mountainous terrain and short growing season, the High Country’s local food movement continues to gain momentum. Community and home gardens are on the rise, food entrepreneurs and growers are selling goods at more markets, and the Seeds of Change Initiative, a campaign to grow jobs, improve health, and end poverty through the extraordinary potential of locally grown food, is based in Boone.

High Country Food Day is a celebration of the many initiatives, organizations, and people that work hard to promote healthy, affordable, and sustainable food in our community.  Folks from the community and university are planning events to educate and celebrate.

Here are a few community events. For an updated schedule, check out:

http://highcountryfoodday.brwia.org/index.html

Free movie viewing and hors d'oeuvres!

Did you know that despite a surge in recent years, the sale of local fruits and vegetables comprises only 2% of U.S. agricultural sales? That nearly 50% of U.S. farmland is planted with corn and soybeans?

Make plans to join NC Cooperative Extension and ASU Student Dietetics Association on Wednesday, October 24^th, 5:15 p.m. at the Agricultural Conference Center to view the movie, Weight of the Nation, Challenges. This movie reviews the state of our food system, how the system affects health of Americans, and what it will take to improve it.

We will begin the evening with hors d’oeuvres created from locally grown food, view the hour long movie, and then have a group discussion. Agricultural Conference Center is located at 252 Poplar Grove Rd., Boone. For questions, contact Margie Mansure at margie_mansure@ncsu.edu, 264-3061

Wednesday, October 24^th, 7:30 p.m. Greening the Revolution documentary showing at Watauga public library, followed by discussion with director Katie Curran

A high-definition documentary explores the far-reaching effects of international food injustice, from world hunger to the consumption of industrial food. Using food as a symbol of inequality, we explain and expose the corrupt cycle of globalization that perpetuates systems of poverty and oppressive social control. We then present hope: successful, sustainable communities achieving food justice and freedom through the power of the people. Filmed in India, Kenya, Zambia, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti and the United States.

The Bread of Life Community Kitchen of the Hospitality House will be providing a free local meal along with tours of the facility and gardens. The meal, which will be provided and prepared by representatives of F.A.R.M. Café and High Country United Methodist Church, will be served from 5:30-7:30pm. 

Tastes of Autumn Vegetarian Feast, Wednesday, October 24^th at 6 p.m.

This meal will be a celebration of the tastes of autumn in the High Country planned in conjunction with Food Day. We will feature many dishes to please both vegan and vegetarian guests prepared by a team of talented and very creative chefs. Tickets must be purchased in advance via www.highcountrylocalfirst.org, $40/person. If you are a High Country Local First business member, or if you have a LOCAL FIRST! REWARDS CARD, you can receive $5 off of the listed price.