Take a Trip to UBC Farms for the 30th Annual ‘Feast of Fields’ Event, Sept. 7th

Late August through September marks the (bittersweet) transition from patio hangs, beach days and ice-cream-for-dinner, to cooler and longer nights, back-to-school, soup-making, changing colours…and, perhaps most exciting of all: a trip to the farm for the Feast of Fields, to take it all in.

FarmFolk CityFolk’s long-running (now in its third decade) fundraising event is a great way to embrace the spirit of the season and the bounty of the autumn harvest, while staying within city limits and supporting a worthy cause: a local organization with a strong record of promoting sustainable local food systems. Feast of Fields takes place over the duration of a single afternoon, when the UBC Farm will be set up with tented stations featuring an abundance of the best local food and drink coming out of the Lower Mainland. Between stops to replenish yourself with samples and top up your glass, you’ll get to work up your appetite by roaming the fields, awash in the beginnings of autumnal hues and the sound of live music. In other words, imagine your idyllic rural setting – barns, chickens, tractors, greenery, and all – dressed up fancy, and with a veritable smorgasbord of deliciousness within easy reach, just for the occasion. That’s Feast of Fields.

Now that you’ve got that picture in your head, onto the more salient details… This year’s Feast of Fields Metro Vancouver edition goes down at UBC Farm on Sunday, September 7th from 1-4pm (VIP early access begins at Noon). If you’re privileged enough to be able to fork out the cost of a ticket ($115-200 per person plus fees; considerably less for youth and children), then you should. The cost of a ticket includes all of your food and beverages, and a truly memorable experience to mark the beginning of a new season. Bigger picture: It’s also a small investment in a better future, since all proceeds from Feast of Fields are funnelled directly back to local farmers and other food producers. Need further convincing? Probably not; but also of note: raffle tickets, souvenir cedar plates, and photo booth photos will be available for your further amusement and memory-making desires. For more details and to lock in your tickets, head over here now.

And if you’re reading this from beyond Metro Vancouver, don’t feel left out just yet! FarmFolk CityFolk also have events scheduled for Vancouver Island (Sunday, August 24th at Heritage Acres, Saanichton; details and tickets here) and the Okanagan (Sunday, September 21st at Luckhurst Farm & Distillery, Kelowna; details and tickets here).

WHY WE CARE

“Sustainable” is such a buzzy word these days, it’s easy to forget what it actually means. Which is why it’s so important to take advantage of opportunities to see (and taste) sustainable farming practices being put into action, by visiting the places that utilize it in their daily operations, meeting the people who work the fields in-person, and soaking up their knowledge. More than just a label, it’s a beautiful thing that requires real connection to the environment and its temperaments. Organizations, like FarmFolk CityFolk, that are built by people who are invested in a holistic view of the community that includes nature, who genuinely give a sh*t, and are committed to sharing their knowledge by making it easier for BC farmers (aka ‘farm folk’) to grow good food, and for the public (‘city folk’) to connect with those farmers – and what’s on their plate, by extension – are so important. For now, and for the future.