Monday, August 1, 2011

Local Food, Tomato Takes Center Stage at annual ‘Mater Mania


The Local Eastern Shore Sustainable Organic Network hosts ‘Mater Mania, a celebration of the abundant, colorful and delicious Tomato, the local farmers who cultivate it and the locals who love to eat it on Sunday, August 7 from noon to 5 p.m. at Boonies Restaurant in Tyaskin.

LESSON is partnering with Boonies and Southern Boys Concepts to offer a menu of local food and tomato-inspired preparations, paired with local ales from Evolution Craft Brewery.

Proceeds from the event support the Medora Harvest Fund, which provides low-income families with weekly shares of fresh produce from local organic farms. The event also supports LESSON’s mission to foster local, sustainable food on the Shore.

Tickets are $20 for adults. Children under 12 get in for $6. Tickets include a meal and beverage (draft beer or nonalcoholic). There will be live music, a tomato tasting, silent auction and kid friendly activities.

Music lineup:
99 Again
Maureen Tambourine
Blackwater

Silent Auction Items:
*1/2 Day Guided Birding Tour with expert birders Dave Wilson (MD Coastal Bays Director) and Jim Rapp (Manager of Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center)
*Guided Winery or Nature Paddle, Adrenaline High
*Guided Paddle, Pocomoke River Canoe Company
*Gift Certificate, South Moon Under
*Family Membership to the Salisbury Zoo
*"Carver Afficionado Packet" from the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art (including passes to the museum)
*Violin Lessons
*Assorted Organic Craft Beer
*A variety of artwork from local artists including photography, pottery and jewelry
*...and much more!!!

Kids Activities provided by the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance

Tickets can be purchased online at http://shorefood.org/.

LESSON is a nonprofit organization which promotes sustainable farming practices and the development and support of a regional food system on the Shore. The Medora Harvest Fund was created to honor Medora Cockey, a local organic farming enthusiast who died at age 24 from autoimmune hepatitis.

For more information, please visit www.shorefood.org or email Dea Keen, keen609@gmail.com.

Directions to Boonies Restaurant from Downtown Salisbury: Travel west on Business Rt. 50, turn right onto MD-349 Nanticoke Rd; remain on Nanticoke road for 16 miles, Boonies will be on your right.