Farm to Table event at Cultural Center a success

Judy Hixenbaugh, Director of Development for The Cultural Center in Ponte Vedra Beach, told Historic City News that the inaugural “Farm to Table” event, held April 30 through May 5, has been declared a significant success.

The Cultural Center exhibited healthy eating and food preparation with cooking classes, lectures and demonstrations. The weeklong event featured local growers and chefs.

The event attracted hundreds of attendees and raised more than $31,000 net for the non-profit organization, its programs and services.

Cooking classes and workshops were offered each day with popular topics from creating pasta from scratch to growing and preparing organic vegetables and herbs to featuring the benefits of eating and cooking with natural foods.

The popularity of the classes included sold out events with local Chef Andrea Rosenblatt, owner of A. Chef Cooking Studio. “Feedback was so positive that everyone was asking when we’re doing it again,” said Chef Rosenblatt.

Event co-chairs Janet Westling, Toni Crawford and Kim Kendall introduced sponsors and guest speakers including Jeb Smith, a fifth generation farmer from Hastings, and Gary Mormino, author of Florida Foodways: From New Spain to Old South to the Sunbelt.

On May 5, hundreds of residents and visitors from throughout St. Johns County and beyond experienced the all-natural and organic merchandise from more than 18 farms and vendors who were set up at The Cultural Center.