Not long to wait now, in just a few days’ time, top chefs, vintners, brewers, and food artisans will gather at the gorgeous Marley Farm in Saanichton to celebrate the 14th annual Vancouver Island Feast of Fields. With currently more than sixty participants signed up and committed to conjuring up a gourmet symphony of taste sensations, all accompanied by the perfect libation - lucky ticket holders are gearing up for the most delicious food experience of the season.
Held each year on a different farm, the annual Farm Folk/City Folk fundraiser is the hottest local food ticket of the year. Described as ‘a gastronomic journey towards a sustainable, local food system’, guests wander around a gorgeous farm with a wine glass and linen napkin in hand, sampling gourmet local cuisine, fine wines and hearty beers in a bid to raise awareness of the enjoyment and importance of eating locally. This year’s feast will be held at Marley Farm in Mt. Newton Valley, Saanichton.
This year though, one very special guest will be missing from the celebration – Noel Richardson organized the first Vancouver Island Feast of Fields in 1988 on Raven Hill Herb Farm, and remained involved from the very first Feast of Fields, continuing to attend every feast until her recent passing in May 2011.
Noel’s daughter, Jenny Cameron, fondly recalls that sustainable local food was a life-long passion for her mother. “It seems for at least the past few generations, her family had vegetable gardens, and did a lot of canning,” explains Jenny. Working in conjunction with Noel and her husband Andrew at Raven Hill Herb Farm, the farming community toiled together to produce local food events.
“It started there…they both started holding charitable and community events, in conjunction with the Sunday Herb Days, which became hugely popular,” explains Jenny. “With the food writing, cook books, and many articles written about the farm in publications far and wide, it seemed like a perfect venue to hold the first Vancouver Island Feast of Fields.”
Although she enjoyed all of the feasts, Jenny recalls that her mother’s favorite feast was at the Raven Hill Herb Farm as back then almost all of the participants knew each other and the gathering had a certain quaintness to it as the farmers were a tight-knit community.
“It was a powerful, enthusiastic, and productive time. I think food security was important to my Mom, as she always said how important it is for us all to know where our food is coming from, and how it is produced, so we can make intelligent, and informed choices, that effect our entire existence, and quality of our lives,” she remembers.
It is pioneers like Noel Richardson that started the Feast of Fields and today, nearly fourteen years later, it is our many dedicated organizers and food producers that continue to ensure the feast continues year after year while the farming community continues to grow and expand as food sustainability becomes increasingly important.
During the celebrations on September 18th, while we are enjoying the incredible bounty harvested from our island community, perhaps we can all take a moment and raise a glass in memory of the original Feast of Fields’ pioneer Noel Cameron. Noel was an innovative farmer who worked her entire life to raise awareness about the importance of food security in our communities. Toasting Noel’s memory and life-long community contributions during the feast will honour her passion and hopefully renew our commitment to food sustainability.
The FarmFolk/City Folk's Vancouver Island Feast of Fields takes place on Sunday, September 18th, 2011 from 1‐5 p.m. on Marley Farm in Saanichton located at 1831 Mount Newton X Road. Tickets are $85 for adults, $15 for children ages 7 to 12, and free for children under 6. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at Muffet and Louisa.
Visit: Vancouver Island Feast of Fields
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written by Bonita Magee , September 16, 2011