Spring Farm to Fork Dinner

Tickets on sale now for Astoria Co-op Grocery and Columbia Memorial Hospital’s event

The freshest local food of the season will highlight an upcoming spring farm to fork dinner. Astoria Co-op Grocery, Columbia Memorial Hospital’s Nutritional Department, and Chef Marco Davis are joining forces again in an effort to inspire people to eat fresh and healthy foods.

Chef Marco and Farmer Teresa Retzlaff
Chef Marco and Farmer Teresa Retzlaff

The menu will include four courses with lots of vegetables and fish.  Davis creates the menu just before the dinner in order to capture the freshest most local food around.

“I like having relationships with people I’m getting food from.  I know they’re putting the same love into farming as I do cooking.  It tastes so much better and it makes me happy,” Davis said.

In addition to a meal there are elements of entertainment and education involved.  Many of the local farmers will attend the dinner and take turns speaking about how they grew the food.  The setting is in a gourmet demonstration kitchen so attendees will be able to watch and learn as their dinner is prepared before their eyes.

“Educating people about health and nutrition is important to the Co-op and a really fun way to learn is while eating amazing food and drinking wine with friends,” Astoria Co-op Grocery Marketing Director Zetty Nemlowill said.

CMH became involved in the Farm to Fork event because food is really the foundation of health in the community.

“As a Planetree designated hospital, we recognize nutrition and the nurturing aspect of food as a component of the care that we provide both to our patients and to our caregivers.  The Farm to Fork dinners provide education about healthy cooking and eating, but also about where to find fresh, healthy food in our community.  And, really, it’s super fun,” CMH Nutrition Services Manager Vann Lovett said.

The event is volunteer-run and any proceeds beyond the cost of ingredients go to North Coast Food Web’s Project Fruit Box which provides organic fruit to local schools.  Tickets are $40 each and include a four course dinner and wine. Space is limited so organizers encourage you to get your tickets as soon as possible.  Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

What: Spring Farm to Fork Dinner

When: Thursday June 2 at 6 p.m.

Wher­­­­e: Columbia Center Coho Room 2021 Marine Drive Astoria, OR 97103