For the second year in a row, we’re joining forces with the smart ladies from American Association of University Women (AAUW) to host a lecture called “Food Culture of the Lower Columbia: the growing Farm to Table Movement” in February. Farmers and chefs will make up a panel that will discuss the opportunities and challenges of sourcing fresh local food on a commercial scale. The panel includes Eric Bechard of Albatross, Marco Davis of the Columbian Café, Johnny Besch of Pickled Fish, Fred Johnson of Fred’s Homegrown and Teresa Retzlaff of 46 North Farm.
AAUW will lead the discussion in a question and answer format that the group traditionally uses at its candidate forums. Meredith Payton of AAUW came up with the concept of featuring local food culture in an educational way and asked if the Co-op would like to be involved. Last year the duo teamed up to do a lecture on local food culture, and this year’s theme places an emphasis on the growing farm to table movement.
“When Meredith Payton from AAUW and I talked about a theme for this year’s lecture, the farm to table movement made a lot of sense because there has been an increased interest regarding local sourcing at restaurants in the area, and we at the Co-op are lovers of local food,” our marketing director, Zetty Nemlowill said.
The Co-op offers monthly food and wellness lectures at Fort George Brewery called “Beers to Your Health”. Every second Thursday of the month the good folks at the brewery let us use their events space in the showroom (a former Cadillac dealership located in the Lovell Building) on 14th and Duane Street, which is less than a block away from the Co-op. We join the ranks of the Maritime Museum, Clatsop Community College, and Lewis & Clark National Historical Park in organizing these Thursday evening talks for the community. These are fun and casual events where you can order a craft beer and food to munch on from the taproom.
When: Thursday February 12, Doors open at 6 p.m. (food and drinks available for purchase) Presentation 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Fort George Lovell Showroom, 1483 Duane St. Astoria