Success StoryFarm to Fork Dinner Stimulates Local Economy and Gives to Charity for 5th Year



Farm to Fork Dinner Stimulates Local Economy and Gives to Charity for 5th Year

Author: Dayna Fentress

Planning Unit: Hardin County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Plan of Work: Utilizing Local Food Systems

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

UK FCS Extension worked with the Hardin County Fairboard, Central Hardin FFA, Farm Credit Mid-America, and a committee of volunteers to plan the fifth annual Farm to Table dinner at the Hardin County Fair.

In 2023, 370 individuals gathered at the Hardin County Fair for the 5th Farm to Table dinner. The dinner showcased Kentucky Proud produce and meats, while supporting a local charity. We were able to give $4,000 to yet another charity in our community: JTs Way. A non-profit focused on helping bereaved parents.

More than 350 tickets were sold, with Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles as the guest speaker, updating attendees on the state of Kentucky agriculture.

The dinner consisted of chicken, catfish, potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, tomatoes, cucumber salad, blackberry cobbler, peach cobbler, strawberry cake, and blueberry lemon cake with local, homemade vanilla ice cream.

More than $7,000 was spent with local vendors for this event. This means more than $14.000 was generated in our local economy by those vendors according to research. 

The dinner continues to grow each year, putting more money into the hands of our local vendors. 






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