This year the Crossfield Farmers Market turned 50. And while community members can continue to expect the same high quality, fresh, local produce they are used to, the Farmers Market is once again elevating the local cuisine experience with their annual "Long Table Dinner" on August 16.
Coinciding with Alberta Local Food Week (August 17-23) and Alberta Open Farm Days (August 16-17), the dinner offers an extraordinary slow food and local food experience, with everything sourced from area farmers and the farmers market's vendors.
Two chefs, Food Network’s Marc Swiednicki and Bo Hons, will oversee preparing the three course farm to table meal. They were also in charge of the menu. Hons, a farmers market frequenter and local, makes the best cheesecake, says Cheryl Shea, Crossfield Farmers Market manager.
Shea says guests can expect high quality and fresh produce at the dinner. From locally processed beef and pork to distilleries that source ingredients in the area, this is a true farm to table experience.
“Our bread vendor is dropping off bread in the morning,” Shea explains “So it literally is baked, grown, or sourced locally and brought to the dinner that day.”
Aside from the local experience, the Long Table Dinner also looks to connect producers with customers who are interested in exploring what southern Albertan vendors have to offer. For many makers, bakers, and growers, the dinner is also an opportunity to step up and give back.
“We also have vendors that ask yearly, ‘How do I get to be part of this?’” Shea says. “It's just a beautiful array of fresh local food.”
Tickets for the event are limited and priced at $130.00 each. However, the event isn't a money maker for the Crossfield Farmers Market. After fairly compensating local vendors and providing a few extra goodies for guests, any profit made from the event goes back into supporting 4H initiatives, the Crossfield Madden Food Bank, and other similar community resources.
This is the fourth year of the long table event, and as its fresh, high quality, great taste reputation has grown, Shea expects the event to be completely sold out again this year. After partaking wine and the food, Shea says attendees have always gone home with “full bellies and a big happy heart.”
This year’s menu includes appetizers like the tomato cucumber bruschetta, a salad with herbed goat cheese and a honey vinaigrette, as well as a peaches and cream corn millefeuille for dessert. The main course? Alberta sirloin with potato pavé and roasted carrots.
To find out more about what's being served and where it comes from, or to buy tickets, visit albertaopenfarmdays.ca.
Other nearby farms taking part in Alberta Open Farms Days this year are Souto Farms near Airdrie, Providence Lane Homestead on Horse Creek Road in Rocky View County, Rafter U7 Ranch and Wellness Centre north of Crossfield, and Apiarios Estrella Honey & Long Grass Studio east of Springbank.
