The McLean County Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent, Family and Consumer Science Agent and McLean County Farmers' Market Vendors hosted a Farm to Fork Dinner to recognize and promote the importance of locally grown food. Farm to Fork is a food system in which food production, processing, distribution, and consumption are integrated to enhance the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of a particular place. The Cooperative Extension Service worked alongside of the local Farmers Market and other vendors as well as other volunteers to raise money for a local charity while educating consumers about where and what products are available to them in the McLean County area.

Two hundred and fifty consumers attended the Farm to Fork Dinner where they were fed locally grown vegetables from Farmers Market Vendors and pork chops from a local producer using the educational recipe cards from the Plate It Up Kentucky Proud series. Over $5000 dollars was received from ticket sales and donations. The McLean County Cooperative Extension Service then presented a check to God’s House of Hope, a local food bank, to help people in McLean County that are less fortunate. After several personal interviews the program was deemed a success and the community is looking forward to next year’s event.