food for everyoneIOWA CITY – The name of Local Foods Connection’s upcoming fundraiser – Food-for-Everyone – is enticing of itself. The live and silent auction items crank it up a notch, with CSA shares, stunning artwork and, my personal favorite, three area farmers up on the auction block. I’m told you don’t get to keep the farmers – bummer, I know – but they will share their expertise and help you plant a garden, for example, or with another project for up to five hours.

Bidding for the silent auction has already started at the Iowa City Farmers Market and culminates at the Oct. 9 event. Find photos of many of the auction items on Local Foods Connection’s Facebook page and read on for more about this Iowa City-based nonprofit and their upcoming event:

IOWA CITY, IA– Local Foods Connection invites the community to support their upcoming fundraising event, Food-For-Everyone. The event will be Thursday, October 9th at Trumpet Blossom Café downtown Iowa City at 6 pm. The evening will be filled with good local food, music provided by The Dandelion Stompers, and a live auction featuring three of our local farmers: Scott Koepke of New Pioneer Food Coop Soilmates, Shanti Sellz of Muddy Miss Farm, and Andrew Dunham of Grinnell Heritage Farm. If you need your garden weeded, a pesky perennial bed reworked or if you want to learn more about building healthy soil these three have you covered! Volunteers to help with your project are also available upon request. Tickets for the event are $40/person or $150 for a table of 4. Tickets will be available at the Local Foods Connection Iowa City Farmers Market booth starting September 13th.

Bidding for the silent auction will be available starting September 13th and will continue to be available every Wednesday and Saturday at the Local Foods Connection Iowa City Farmers Market booth. The auction will close the night of the event at 8 pm. Attendance to the event is not required to win the bid. You will be contacted October 10th if not in attendance. A few auction items include – A 36×60 Oil on Canvas by Thomas F. Agran (local artist who painted the mural on the New Pioneer Food Coop in Iowa City), several 2015 CSA shares from our local farmers, date night packages and more! Many of the silent auction items will make great holiday gifts – a great way to support a good cause and get that holiday shopping done locally!

Local Foods Connection has a unique purpose unlike any other in the state or even the country – they support local sustainable farmers by paying them a fair price for their food, and give that food to low-income disadvantaged members of the greater Iowa City community, while also providing education materials to help further the understanding of eating seasonally. LFC does this by purchasing CSA shares for individuals and families as well as by purchasing wholesale quantities for agencies such as DVIP, WIC, the Johnson County Crisis Center and Head Start.

In order to continue working with these farmers and organizations, LFC relies on the generosity and support of the community. Sponsorships from businesses are greatly appreciated as well as monetary donations from the public. For more information about the organization or participating in the Food-for-Everyone event, contact LFC at localfoodsconnection.ed@gmail.com.

About Local Foods Connection:
Local Foods Connection’s mission is to enhance eastern Iowa’s sustainable food system by making it more accessible to families and individuals with limited means. We aim to increase the opportunities for these community members to enjoy fresh, healthy food, connect with local farmers, and expand their skills and knowledge of cooking and nutrition. Since 1999, Local Foods Connection has purchased produce, bread, eggs, meat and other products from local earth-friendly farms and has donated these goods to families who cannot afford such nutritious, tasty and fresh food. We provide opportunities for families to visit a farm and to learn healthy cooking methods. With your support, we assist families in need of a helping hand, strengthen our local foods network and empower the farmers who serve our community. Our vision is a local sustainable food system that is accessible to everyone.

Learn more about Local Foods Connection at www.LocalFoodsConnection.com.