Individual life choices have moved demand for locally grown fresh produce, meat and eggs. Ventures such as KY Proud and HomeGrown by Heros have shifted the consumers focus away from the grocery store and toward the farm stand.  Local farmers markets have become the consumer’s choice to provide safe, fresh and nutritious food for communities across the state, and Grant County is experiencing this trend as well.

A farm to table dinner was planned as an effort to further raise awareness of local food systems and increase participation in the local farmers market.  Representatives from Grant County Cooperative Extension Service, Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Grant County High School Culinary Arts, Williamstown High School and Grant County High School FFA Programs, Williamstown Main Street Merchants Association and Grant County Farmer’s Market supporters collaborated to host a meal to showcase local farm products.  The committee collaborated with a local chef to plan the meal while students in Culinary Arts at Grant County Career and Technology Center prepared and served the 4 course dinner including roasted beef tenderloin and shrimp and grits.  The evening was capped off by a visit from Kentucky Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles.   Despite the weather forecast forcing the event to be relocated from Main Street in Williamstown to the Grant County Livestock Exhibition and Education Facility more than 150 guests and 100 volunteers showed out to make this event successful.  More 150 people purchased tickets and along with community sponsorships and grants from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture proceeds from the event exceeded $7,500.  These proceeds were divided among the sponsor groups to favor the volunteer army responsible for making this event successful.  All agents were involved in the planning, implementation hosting of the meal. The Agriculture Agent sourced all of the materials used in the preparation of the meal.

After the Farm to Table meal, the contributors that sell through the Grant County Farmers Market participants reported an increase in sales of their locally produced items because of the publicity of the event.  Market members also reported follow-up buying by those who were in attendance at the meal that evening. Many of the meal attendees told the staff that by having this meal, they will increase their purchases of locally produced items. With this Farm to Table Meal, the Grant County Cooperative Extension Service was able to highlight the healthy agriculture and horticulture products grown in Grant County and Kentucky.