Growing Community Readies for 10th Annual Harvest Supper

COOPERSTOWN—Growing Community invites residents from around the area to bring a potluck dish and pull up a chair to the community dining table at its 10th Annual Community Harvest Supper.

The dining table will be set up on Main Street from Fair to River streets on Sunday, September 29 from 4-7 p.m. Stoddard Hollow String Band will once again be on hand to add to the festive harvest mood, and games for kids will be available on the library lawn. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market building in Pioneer Alley, off Main Street.

The Community Harvest Supper is BYOE—bring your own everything:

• A potluck dish to pass made, if possible, with local or homegrown ingredients in honor of the harvest season;
• Place settings for your family (reusable or compostable plates, cutlery, beverage cups);
• Beverages
• Camaraderie!

As in past years, Growing Community members strive to make this event as close to zero waste as possible, and ask attendees to bring reusable dishes, plates, cups, cutlery, etc. Any paper products should be uncoated so they can be added to the compost receptacles. Organizers ask attendees to please note that disposable aluminum or plastic serving dishes and utensils can’t be recycled unless they are clean, so attendees should keep this in mind and take home any aluminum or plastic serving dishes.

Growing Community began organizing the Community Harvest Supper in 2011, thanks to a member of the community sharing her dream of a communal table on Main Street where all are welcome. There are no table reservations—the event is free and open to all, with no politicking, no fundraising, and no tabling—just good food and conversation shared among friends and neighbors, old and new alike.

“Growing Community is deeply grateful to the Village of Cooperstown, Mohican Farms, and so many other volunteers without whose cooperation and support the Harvest Supper would simply not be possible,” the press release reads. “This year, Growing Community is seeking volunteers to help with setup, decoration, and breakdown—to volunteer, sign up on volunteersignup.org/KR3C4 or contact Kristen Griger at kristenmgriger@gmail.com.”

Growing Community is also seeking contributions to help offset the cost of table and chair rentals. Checks made out to Growing Community should be mailed in care of Ellen Pope, 28 Elm Street, Apt C, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Growing Community is a group of people committed to growing food locally, sharing knowledge, eating well and, through these three things, building community.

Through its projects, Growing Community works to inspire people to plant, harvest, learn and share. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/GrowingCommunityCooperstown.