Last year the Community School Association (CSA) wrapped up a year-long Bowen Grows project with the first Bowen Grows Feast: a community feast for 250 people of all ages that was held in the BICS gym. It was an incredible event thanks to chef Matt Matheson and a team of local volunteer decorators, musicians and donations from local farms and growers. The CSA created the first feast and then passed the event over to the community to continue the tradition, and are still providing some sponsorship and support for the event.
This year the Bowen Island Agricultural Alliance (BAA) stepped up to keep the tradition going, but in a new way. In order to make the event sustainable, the event has been reshaped to be a $5 ticketed community potluck dinner. The Bowen Grows Community Feast Potluck is being held Friday, Oct. 7 in the BICS gym at 5:30 p.m.
Matheson is leading a team of keen volunteers to make a special dessert for everyone at the feast that will feature local heritage apples. Coffee, tea and mint water will be provided. The event is open to BAA members and community guests of all ages to attend. Participants will make an appetizer or dinner dish using at least one local ingredient to share that is ready to serve. Please bring a list of what is in the dish and details about the local ingredient, such as where it was grown. Everyone is asked to bring their own plates and cutlery. It’s really a community feast with everyone coming together to eat, hear a bit of music, watch the farmers’ market slide shows and to meet and socialize with people of all ages in the community. Whether you are new to the island, or have been here for decades, come to the feast and say hello and share a meal.
So: bring a dish to share, we’ve got dessert! Limited tickets available: $5 at the door or in advance at Phoenix. To help make this event happen again this year in a new format volunteers are needed to work in the kitchen with Matheson and in the gym with set up and decorations with myself, community school co-ordinator, Sarah Haxby. Email [email protected] or call 604-947-0389 for more information or to volunteer.
