Wednesday, February 5, 2025
At the 2025 UNI Local Food Program’s Farm to Fork Dinner, 130 members of the community gathered at the Diamond Event Center for a delicious dinner that celebrated local food. Attendees began the evening by mingling over a crostini display featuring balsamic beet spread, squash hummus, apple fig jam, pickled vegetables, and miso tofu bites.
At 6:30, guests were asked to find their seats, and the evening commenced. A parisienne vegetable salad was served while Jodie Huegerich, UNI Local Food Program Manager, welcomed everyone to the event. The menu included products sourced from Adolphs Produce & Bakery, Hansen’s Dairy, Iowa Food Hub, Le Petit Bakery, Iowa Miso, and Yellow Table Farm.
After these introductions, there was a brief break from speakers as the main entree of Chicken Roulade was served (or a vegan Carrot Miso Gnocchi). Attendees raved about the potatoes, smoked carrots, and the delicious stuffed chicken.
Then, at 7:00, keynote speaker DaQuan Campbell, founder of We Arose, spoke at length about full circle moments and the process behind becoming a successful urban farmer. He also shared the importance of community and cooperation.
At 7:15, dessert was served–a Panna Cotta with candied squash and elderberry coulis–while Mr. Campbell answered questions from the audience about urban farming, We Arose, and the Waterloo Urban Farmers Market. Conversations continued at individual tables long after the applause for DaQuan Campbell faded, and as the evening drew to a close, people trickled out of the Event Center feeling satiated with both local food and local food knowledge.
Carina Collet contributed to this article.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Post Comment
