Field to Fork Success
July 2011 On Saturday, July 16, more than 150 diners gathered on a beautiful summer evening to enjoy a five-course gourmet meal while raising money to support the efforts of House Farm Workers! A project of the Ventura Ag Futures Alliance Farm Worker Housing Task Force, House Farm Workers! promotes construction of safe, decent and affordable housing for Ventura County’s critical agricultural labor force.
The event took place at Hansen Agricultural Center in Santa Paula, and brought together farmers who produce Ventura County’s agricultural bounty, local chefs and restaurateurs who celebrate that bounty on their menus, and the farm workers whose labor makes it all possible. Each of the five courses was prepared by an outstanding local chef, partnering with a local farmer. The food was accompanied by featured wines from California wineries. Local farm workers and their families were honored guests and participants in the program.
Participating chefs included Tim Kilcoyne of The Sidecar Restaurant and and The Local Cafe in Ventura, Olivia Chase from The Farmer and the Cook in Ojai, Nic Manocchio from Crowne Plaza and C-Street Restaurant in Ventura, Todd Aarons of Tierra Sur in Oxnard, and Kate Dunbar of Petit Rêve Cafe in Ventura. Farmers were Phil McGrath of McGrath Family Farms, Chris Sayer of Petty Ranch, Jason and Aaron Tamai of Tamai Farms, John Fonteyn of Rio Gozo Farms, and Steve Sprinkel of The Farmer and the Cook. Beverages were provided by Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, Vino V Wines, Old Creek Ranch Winery, Herzog Wine Cellars and Ventura Limoncello Co.
David Cruz, an award-winning television and radio journalist, served as master of ceremonies. David, who currently hosts a bilingual talk show on KOXR-AM, interviewed chefs, farm owners and farm workers, encouraging them to share their stories in a way that informed, enlightened and entertained the crowd.
The event would not have been possible without the principal sponsors, Houweling’s Hot House, Reiter Affiliated Companies, Limoneira and the Ventura County Star. The event was hosted by the staff of the UC Hansen Fund and Hansen Agricultural Center. Director Jose De Soto and staff members Louise Rangel, Larry Manning and Patricia Verdugo Johnson went out of their way to ensure a comfortable and successful dining experience. Santa Paula High School Future Farmers of America, Veronica Lemus, Arturo Servin, Lucia Marquez, Kayla Hendren, Lauren Shield and Keyana Orr, assisted with setup, serving meals, busing tables and washing dishes. Other contributors included the Wine Rack, Ag Innovations Network, Farm Bureau of Ventura County, Ventura County Master Gardeners, Ventura Rental Party Center, Amoretti, The Greek at the Harbor, Kangen Water and Cole Farms.
For more information about the event and to see more photos, go to our Facebook page. Photos from the “From Field to Fork” event were taken by John Krist. An appreciation letter from Planning Committee member, Gail Brown, was published in the Ventura County Star. The event was also written up in the Central Coast Farm & Ranch magazine. Download the article here (pdf).