The Peru Gazette

Plattsburgh, NY The public is invited to meet Northern New York farmers, food processors, wine and cider makers, and chefs with a diverse array of products at the 5th annual Food from the Farm event on Saturday, March 7 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Plattsburgh Recreation Center gymnasium on the US Oval in Plattsburgh, NY.

Visitors will have the opportunity to sample and buy locally-grown or produced foods, wine and cider; pick up recipes and gardening tips; meet local food producers, and support the local economy and food movement. Products for sale may include overwintered storage crops such as carrots, beets and potatoes; winter greens, frozen meat, maple, honey, wine, and hard cider.

Anyone who would like a supply of fresh local food throughout the growing season will be able to meet farmers offering Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions and purchase a membership for 2015.

North Country growers use high tunnel structures to produce food even in the winter. Adirondack Harvest Coordinator Laurie Davis notes, ‘The array of local products available in late winter runs a wide gamut and the Food from the Farm tastings have expanded for 2015.’

The featured chef for the 2015 Food from the Farm is Chef David Allen of Latitude 44 Bistro in Plattsburgh. Allen regularly works with the local organic farmers. Event staff will be demonstrating how easy it is to work with local products to create different dishes and flavors.

This family-friendly event includes Cornell Cooperative Extension nutrition educators providing tips on using local food year-round, and 4-H Youth doing cooking demonstrations sponsored by the Produced in New York Project.

Food from the Farm is coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County, Adirondack Harvest, and Master Gardener volunteers. Co-organizer Amy Ivy with CCE Clinton County says, ‘This is a fun event for families and provides the opportunity for people to get to know local farmers and support the local agricultural economy. We encourage that contact by giving a door prize ticket opportunity for each farmer you talk with during the event.’

Unlimited sampling, door prizes and helpful information are all included in the admission of $5 per adult, $20 per family, 5 years and under free. Tickets are available in advance on the CCE website at http://cce.cornell.edu/clinton, at the CCE office in Plattsburgh, or at the door.