First annual Farm - to Table dinner a success

This past Saturday, the Big Red Barn Farmers Market in Davenport hosted a Farm-to-Table event. Local chefs, Adam Hegsted and Aaron Fish prepared a five-course meal in which all the food was provided by market vendors and travelled no more than 45 miles to the table. The event was hosted in the historic Big Red Barn two miles east of Davenport. The barn is listed on the National Historic Barn Registry and was restored by Davenport native, Crayton Guhlke.

To say the dinner was a success is an understatement. The anticipated event focused on community and connection and featured the local farmers market vendors in each of its five courses. With 38 ticket-holders in attendance, the long table through the breezeway of the Big Red Barn was packed. Attendees were served at the table by market volunteers while local musician, Bob Whitmore, provided entertainment.

"The meal was mind-blowing, the people who attended were amazing. Everything came together for a beautiful evening on the farm to enjoy the bounty of our local farmers," said Carey Guhlke-Falk, the market's founder and co-manager. Guhlke-Falk, along with co-manager, Tammy Merrill of Reardan, organized the event to benefit the Big Red Barn Farmers Market. The market runs on a shoe-string budget and proceeds from this event go toward its operating budget to cover expenses such as insurance, park rental, equipment and promotion. "It's important to keep our local market sustainable as a resource for local farmers and producers, and also for the community," Guhlke-Falk said.

"Our market is truly a diamond in the rough. Nearly everything at the market comes from within 45 miles," said co-manager, Tammy Merrill. "When supporting our market, you're directly supporting farmers and producers from Lincoln County. Not many farmers markets can say that."

The food for the meal was provided by local farmers and was prepared by chefs Aaron Fish and Adam Hegsted of Spokane. Hegsted is the co-owner of three Spokane-area restaurants, Wandering Table, The Yards, and Eat Good. Fish is the executive chef for Eat Good and did most of the menu planning for the event. "I grew up on a farm and love to come back to these roots," Fish said. "We love doing farm to table events because of how intimate and personal they are with the food and the people sitting at the table."

Local farms and producers featured at the event included: Scabland Farm, Davenport (pork); Spokane Family Farm, Spokane (milk); Kagele Farm, Odessa (produce); Drafty Acres Ranch, Davenport (produce), Healing Hooves, Edwall (goat meat); E.G.A. Farm, Edwall (chicken and eggs); Quillisascut Cheese Company, Rice (goat cheese); Riverview Orchard, Kettle Falls (fruit); The Fruit Guy, Walla Walla (melons), Tate's Honey, Spokane (honey) and Alpine Bakery, Spokane (baked goods).

"We are very grateful for each market vendor who participated and especially appreciate the support of the community each week at the market and those who purchased tickets for this event," Guhlke-Falk said. "Without them, there would be no market!"

Planning for next year's Farm-to-Table dinner is already under way. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the same location. Tickets will be sold at a discounted price of $40 starting this Saturday at the Big Red Barn Farmers Market at Pioneer Plaza in Davenport from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. The discounted tickets will be sold through December. Starting in January, tickets will be sold for $50 each. Tickets can be purchased during market hours, by calling 307-699-4649 or by emailing BigRedBarnFarmersMarket@gmail.com.