The 2009 Local Food Fair, provided by the nonprofit Central Rivers Farmshed with support from the Stevens Point Special Events Funds, will be March 3 at Stevens Point Area Senior High and aims to increase awareness of and interest in the importance of local foods.
The event will feature a potato bar dinner, an original play, "The Emperor's New Food," which highlights local food's connection to health, security and climate change, and a chance to meet local farmers.
"Local food has become an interesting topic in the last several years, and now, with more questions about whether or not our food system is safe, people are once again looking toward local alternatives ... where we actually trust and know the people who are providing our food," said Eric Olson, Farmshed member. "We're trying to reconnect people with where their food comes from."
For two years, the event has been a forum, but Farmshed wanted to make it more accessible and appealing to everyone. The fair atmosphere with entertainment and more interaction hopefully will attract at least 200 people, he said.
"We're trying to reach out to a much larger population, so we're setting it up as more of a fun, entertaining, as well as informative and tasty event," he said.
The fair begins with a buffet-style potato bar. Area restaurants who buy local food will donate toppings. Christian's Bistro will provide fresh herbs and vegetables, as well as local ingredients, such as bacon and cheese.
"We're trying to support the local farmers," owner Christian Czerwonka said. "Anything that will help spread the word about what's in our backyard."
The play begins at 6:30 p.m., and afterward, people can meet local farmers and find ways to get involved in supporting local foods.
The event is free.