Thank You For Being a Part of Our 5th Annual Harvest Dinner!
Raleigh City Farm is bustling with life—the green kind—all the time and in every season. But it’s at an event like the Annual Harvest Dinner that it truly comes alive. On Sunday, October 15, friends, supporters, and partners of the Farm appeared on this vibrant little plot of land, ready for a night of unbelievable food and drink, great company, exciting auction items and experiences, and to raise a glass to the idea that it’s good to “dig where you live.”Chef Cheetie Kumar, our featured chef for the evening, created a 4-course meal of innovative and delicately prepared dishes that highlighted seasonal produce and locally sourced ingredients. With vegetables grown right there on our farm or on farms only a few miles away, it was a spectacular feast that delighted guests and was every bit as beautiful to look at as it was to eat.More than anything else, the night showcased all the magic that can happen when passionate people collaborate. On just one small acre of land, art crossed grassy paths with agriculture and expertly crafted food and drink. Design was everywhere from the patterned textiles draping the tables to the floral bouquets made with Farm-foraged greenery. There was music in the air and good conversation, too. Maybe new collaborations were beginning to take root.It was indeed a magical night, and one that raised close to $25,000 for Raleigh City Farm, funding that will support our mission to grow the next generation of farmers by connecting our community to sustainable agriculture.We have so many to thank for making this event what it was: Chef Cheetie Kumar, thank you for the passion you bring to the food you create. We could taste it in every bite, and we are still thinking about those braised baby carrots. (Has a carrot ever tasted that good?)To our Host Sponsor, Easter Maynard, your leadership support has been crucial in helping to build a farm that is so much more than a farm. We dream big because of friends like you.So much gratitude is also due to our Event Sponsors: Spoonflower, which provided the incredible textiles adorning each table and branded farmers market tote bags for guests, Logan’s One Stop Garden Shop, Smith Anderson, Bohler Engineering, JDavis Architects, KPMG, and The Mahler Fine Art, who connected us with a number of talented local artists who donated fine works of art to our auction. Additional thanks to our Event Partners: Wine Authorities, Fullsteam Brewery, William & Company, Social House Vodka, Piedmont Picnic Project, CompostNow, and Modern Monet. It seems like every year our volunteers get better and better. This year’s group did not disappoint. We thank you for getting your hands and nails dirty making months of work all come together on the big day. To James McConnell, our Auctioneer: it’s hard not to get excited about something when we hear you talk about it. Your enthusiasm is infectious.As always, this event would not have been what it was without our all-star board members, Harvest Dinner planning committee, and Farm team—people who believe in Raleigh City Farm and work hard to keep it strong and growing. Today and every day, thank you for all that you do.And last but not least, thank you to all of our guests for letting us be your host. We loved having you and hope you had a memorable night.Until next year! View photos of the event from the amazing Juli Leonard HERE.