The Party Isn’t Over: Generosity Continues to Flow from the Fourth Annual Free Harvest Supper

For more information: contact info@freeharvestsupper.org or 413-773-5029 x3 or see www.freeharvestsupper.org

Organizers of the Fourth Annual Free Harvest Supper of Locally Grown Food continue to be delighted by the generous community support of this popular event. It’s truly an event that keeps on giving. On Sunday, August 17, over 700 people enjoyed an outdoor feast of locally grown food donated by local farmers, prepared by local chefs and served by community volunteers on Greenfield’s Town Common. Along with the meal, the evening included entertainment, information displays, and a Really, Really Free Market of garden produce. Diners and volunteers sang Happy Birthday to Juanita Nelson, Free Harvest Supper founder, who turned 85 that day.

The Free Harvest Supper feeds people for one lovely evening in August and throughout the growing season. The Supper is free. . .and Supper organizers collect donations to support the Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantry’s Greenfield Farmers’ Market Coupon project. By the time members of the Organizing Committee gathered for a Thank-You Note writing party on September 1st, over $2,500 had been donated by individuals, businesses, and local organizations. That means hundreds of local families will receive produce from the Greenfield Farmers’ Market and farmers will be paid for the coupons they redeem.

The organizers mentioned the amount donated in the Thank You notes they wrote to the 45 farmers and food producers who donated food, Second Congregational Church that provided kitchen space and equipment, organizations that provided displays, entertainers who livened up the evening, businesses that donated equipment and services, and over 100 volunteers who made it all work.

One of those Thank You notes went to Ann Smith, owner of the World Eye Bookshop, for their contribution of a large window display about the Free Harvest Supper. When Ann and World Eye staff member, Jessica Mullins saw the “over $2,500” figure in the note, they talked about the Farmers’ Market Coupon project and how it helps many people in the community. Ann said, “We need to take care of our own.” She called one of the Free Harvest Supper organizers and said, “Please tell me exactly how much you raised. I’d like to round up that figure to $3,000.”

Thrilled, the organizers were happy to share that figure with Ann and accept her generous donation. Ann’s generosity continues the spirit of generosity of all who create the Free Harvest Supper each year. This year’s Free Harvest Supper is over, and it continues on in community caring for community.

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Donations to the Farmers’ Market Coupon project are welcomed. Send checks made out to Center for Self-Reliance to Dino Schnelle, Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantry, 3½ Osgood Street, Greenfield, MA 01301. Please note “Free Harvest Supper” on the check. For more information about the Center for Self-Reliance and the Greenfield Farmers’ Market Coupon project, please call (413) 773-5029.