GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Common is expected to again see more than 1,000 visitors this weekend during the 21st annual Harvest Supper.
From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, Stone Soup Cafe invites everyone to enjoy a community meal, which Executive Director and Chef Kirsten Levitt said is cooked with help from more than 150 volunteers using ingredients donated by farmers across the region.
“This is a uniquely Greenfield event that promotes what we have in the valley,” Levitt said.
Inspired by her love of puns, Levitt said the theme of this year’s event is “the beet goes on,” recognizing the continued work of the cafe, its staff and volunteers, and the farmers and community members that help make the Harvest Supper possible.
The idea for the supper came in 2005 from the late civil rights and peace activist Juanita Nelson, who, with her husband, Wally, moved to Deerfield in 1974 to practice organic farming. Together, they co-founded the Greenfield Farmers Market and the Valley Community Land Trust. After Wally died in 2002, Juanita sought another way to give back to the community, and that is where the “Free Harvest Supper of Locally Grown Food” was born and later evolved into the Harvest Supper.
Levitt said this year’s menu will include beet-themed items such as kale and roasted beet salad, in addition to fan favorites from previous years such as a black bean and corn salad, mushroom quiches and the popular lamb meatball wrap.
“Everyone goes crazy for them,” Levitt said of the wraps. “This year we’ll be wrapping them in Swiss. … They’re going to be really wonderful.”
She added that this year, the cafe will be adding organic pickles to the appetizer menu, and more than 30 local farmers are donating produce, meats and dairy.
In a statement, Ben Clark of Clarkdale Fruit Farms in Deerfield said the farm has donated to the meal for years, as it celebrates agriculture and community.
“Food access for all is something we believe strongly in, and we value the community-building fostered by the meal,” Clark said.
Hannah Rechtschaffen, who leads the Greenfield Business Association, added that the meal provides “a taste of the valley,” highlighting the meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy and other ingredients provided by local farms.
“While it’s hosted here in Greenfield, it truly elevates the agricultural culture of the whole valley,” Rechtschaffen said in the statement.
The supper is Stone Soup Cafe’s largest fundraising event of the year, and it helps support programs such as monthly soup nights, pay-what-you-can community meals each Saturday, and a Community Store that provides free groceries and essentials. The cafe feeds approximately 600 people each week, and according to its website, it costs approximately $15 to produce each meal. The cafe has a $680,800 annual operating budget.
Levitt said the Harvest Supper costs approximately $20,000 to host, and the cafe is hoping to raise $45,000 with the event. So far, about $25,000 has been raised, and Levitt said she hopes that in the next few days, more sponsors and donations will come in.
She added that even if people are unable to donate, they should still come enjoy the meal. The Harvest Supper is a pay-what-you-can meal, and people are encouraged to RSVP and donate at bit.ly/harvest-supper-26. Appetizers will be served starting at 4:30 p.m. and the food tent will open at 5 p.m.
“First and foremost, this is a community meal where we are celebrating the bounty of the county,” Levitt said.
She said the meal is a chance for people to get away from the isolation of being behind screens, and come enjoy a dinner and break bread with their neighbors.
“In a troubled world, it makes us hopeful about how community can come together,” Levitt said.
Compostable dishware will be provided; however, the cafe is requesting that people bring their own reusable plates and silverware if possible. Additionally, the event will include musical performances by Michael Nix, Mill River Rounders, Matt Goulet and Annie Hassett.
“I’m really excited for this year,” Levitt said.
