Friday, February 14, 2014
Staff report
NORTH LIMA
Area businesses, farms and restaurants will compete with their finest chili recipes in a Chili Cook-Off to benefit Goodness Grows outreach from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Common Grounds Church, 2310 W. South Range Road.
The event will include chili samples for all attendees, live music by Adrian Labra, as well as games for adults and children. Cooks will compete for top honors from a panel of judges who are food professionals, as well as the “Red Bean” winner, or popular vote.
The following teams are set to compete: Smokehouse BBQ Restaurant of Greenford; Dandelion Lane Catering of Leetonia; Greenford Cupboard; Zaney Pearl Farm of Leetonia; Midway Mennonite Church of Columbiana; Witmers Inc. of Salem; and the Columbiana Diner, last year’s judges winner.
Novice cooks will compete in a small-batch division.
Funds raised will help outfit the double greenhouse attached to the church for training special-needs high-school students and adults in growing transplants and crops, as well as to improve an on-site market to allow trainees to learn display and retail sales skills.
“We hope to raise $5,000 to outfit the church greenhouse so our trainees get the hands-on experience that will give them skill and confidence,” said Greg Bowman, Goodness Grows executive director.
“These students and adults will grow and prepare crops for the weekly Farmers’ Market at Goodness Grows starting in June, and a weekly produce ‘subscription’ available at the same time,” Bowman added.
Cost at the door is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12, and $30 per family where children are 12 and under. There is no charge for children 5 and younger.
Goodness Grows is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that works with community groups, congregations, organizations and individuals to seek transformation through agriculture that gives life. It provides agricultural leadership and training to bring about social and economic change.
Goodness Grows will host Jubilee Food Justice Mission Trips for high school youth groups this summer, working in urban and rural areas to explore the story of local food in the Mahoning Valley.
For information on Goodness Grows, contact Meagan Tehua by calling 330-549-9408 or emailing meagan@goodnessgrows4all.org.
For information on the cook-off, call the church at 330-549-9408 or visit www.goodnessgrows4all.org.