Veggie tales

Dal student Molly Warner is pitching in to organize Musicians for Farmers. (Danny Abriel Photo)

It’s going to be a night packed full of tasty local food, knowledgeable speakers and performances by local musicians. The “Musicians for Farmers” event takes place Saturday, Feb. 23 at North Street Church, 5657 North St.

The event is dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating locally produced food. And what better way to celebrate food than to eat it? The $15 ticket price includes a locally sourced meal provided by Terroir Local Source Catering. (Farmers get in free.)

The evening also includes performances by Smokin’ Contraband, Raging Grannies, Tanya Davis, Zac Crouse, Rock Beat Scissors, The Halifax String Quartet, Steve Gates, Grand Sass Parilla, Denma and the Crow Kings, Nicolas Veltmeyer and more; guest speakers who will address issues related to farmers and food security; and the launch of a new book Twilight Meetings: Celebrating the Wisdom of Our Farmer Mentors. And let’s not forget the thrilling vegetable puppet show!

“I’m excited about the vegetable puppet show and I don’t know for sure … but there might be square dancing,” says Molly Warner, a 21-year-old Dalhousie student who’s helping to organize the Saturday night event.

Some of the proceeds of Musicians for Farmers will be donated to Heliotrust, which is affiliated with the Food Action Committee of the Ecology Action Centre. Some of Heliotrust’s projects include farmland conservation, sustainable farming practices, biodiversity, and conserving and imparting rural wisdom.

Majoring in international development studies at Dalhousie, Ms. Warner got involved with Musicians for Farmers as part of an “action assignment” for one of her classes. For this assignment, each student must raise awareness on a specific development topic.

She focused on Musicians for Farmers because of the important issues it addresses. “There are so many issues in development with food security, community development, rural development and supporting farmers.”

Plus, it’s just so delicious. On the menu are: confection squash and sweet potatoes in sage butter, hook and line haddock and scalloped dill potatoes, red cabbage and carrot slaw in a caramelized shallot dressing with raisins and toasted seed on the side, apple pie with red fife flour and whipped cream, mulled cider and biodegradable plates and napkins.

Intrigued? This jam-packed evening starts at 6 pm. Bring your fork, mug and pants with a loose waistband.

For more info, see Musicians for Farmers event at Heliotrust.ca