For our Food, For our Farms for our Future

On November 25^th Headwaters Food and Farm Alliance (HFFA) celebrated the accomplishments of the past year along with some good local food and over fifty engage people who interested in what is happening in Headwaters.  This third annual food event was held at Amaranth Town Hall and focused on celebration food from Headwaters, updating HFFA’s activities and gathering information.

Jacalyn Dryland and Jennifer Payne brought updates from the Education, Literacy and Access working group with their school program to bring farmers into the schools to teach about where food comes from and the groups food access programs.  Michelle Harris from the Culinary Tourism affiliated group talked about their program including the Taste of Maple and Taste of Harvest.  Theresa Sauren present the results and recommendations from the HFFA commissioned report, Growing the Local Food System in Headwaters and resulting priorities for HFFA.  Jane Aultman, HFFA Chair and Deputy Mayor of Amaranth represented the entire group and served as master of ceremonies.  Finally, Janet Horner and Gemma Duley ran community consultation workshops to ensure attendees had the opportunity to convey information back to HFFA and ensure the effort is collaborative.

The local feast was presented by BJ of Hands On Catering from Shelburne and Adam Ryan of Orangeville with dessert trays from Gourmandissimo in Caledon East.  BJ served  Curried squash soup shots (Besley Farms), tomato-goat cheese crostini’s (Woolwich Dairy), pulled pork Sliders with Slaw (Armstrong Farms) and beef with caramelized onion and horseradish mayo.  Adam Ryan served Fiddlefoot Farm squash and basil bruschetta with Woolwich Dairy cracked wheel (aged cheese), barbequed turkey tacos with pico de gallo and frisee, and Lake Erie perch aqua Chile.   A variety of sweets including shortbreads, tarts, chocolate dipped gingerbread cookies, all local made finished off the night served with Hockley Hills Coffee.  Albion Orchard fresh cider and apples rounded out the local.  With each participant going home with a local treat of Wicked Shortbread cookies.

HFFA partners include Guelph Wellington Dufferin Public Health, Dufferin.Biz, Headwaters Community in Action, Town of Caledon, Dufferin Farm Fresh, Children’s Foundation of Guelph Wellington.

Janet Horner and Gemma Duley ran community consultation workshops to ensure attendees had the opportunity to convey information back to HFFA and ensure the effort is collaborative.

Jacalyn Dryland and Jennifer Payne brought updates from the Education, Literacy and Access working group with their school program to bring farmers into the schools to teach about where food comes from and the groups food access programs.

The local feast was presented by BJ of Hands On Catering from Shelburne and Adam Ryan of Orangeville