OUR VIEW: Tasty Event

Do you consider yourself a foodie? A locavore? Someone who appreciates good food? If you answered yes to any of these, the Columbia County Fairgrounds is where you need to be Monday night.

Imagine an event that features the county’s best chefs creating dishes using the fruits (and vegetables and proteins) of local farmers’ labor. This is the annual Taste of Hudson Valley Bounty dinner.

The event will feature “tastings” — appetizers to desserts and everything in between. Local cheese artisans, wineries and breweries will also be offering samples of their products as well.

The event is hosted by Hudson Valley Bounty, a program of the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation.

But the evening isn’t just about eating. The mission of Hudson Valley Bounty and the Taste of event is to educate the community about the importance of preserving local farms and the use of local and regional sustainable foods and products throughout the entire Hudson Valley.

We are fortunate to live in an area that is quite suitable for farming. Buying directly from the farmer down the road goes a long way in reducing our carbon footprint since food will not have to be trucked across the country using refrigerated trucks. Another benefit to purchasing directly from local farmers is that it provides a boost to the local economy.

Events such as Monday’s help establish a connection between consumers and farmers. The fact is, we all have our lives impacted by a farmer at least three times a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Take the time to meet yours!

In addition to spotlighting the farmer, an added bonus to this event is the showcasing of local restaurants. We love the fact that tons of local residents can sample a culinary delight from a restaurant that perhaps they have yet to try. Some of the county’s newest restaurants, such as Crossroads Foodshop and the Crimson Sparrow, will be participating.

We imagine that the next time they head out for dinner, patrons will head to a place that created a dish they enjoyed. And this translates to more money staying local.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.hudsonvalleybounty.com or obtained at the door. They are $75 for adults, ($50 for Hudson Valley Bounty members) and for children 12 and under, $25. There is limited space so advance ticket purchase is recommended.

If you eat, you don’t want to miss it!