Local foods, deliciously prepared, are enthusiastically welcomed by guests at the Healthy Tusc Community Harvest Meal

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • August 27, 2012
  • 339
                        
Healthy Tusc is well known for its many efforts in promoting health and wellness in the community, but their first ever Community Harvest Meal was definitely a crowning moment for the group. Local chefs and area farmers collaborated to serve almost 200 people with a delicious, healthy, and seasonal meal at the Tuscarawas Valley Family Farm Market. “The response has been overwhelming,” commented Jeff Mathias, as he scooped up the last servings for hungry guests attending the first ever Healthy Tusc Community Harvest Meal on Aug. 22. “We had no idea what to expect for our first year, but we are very pleased. Everyone loves this.” Pissocra Mathias Realty sponsored the event, which was yet another community activity that Healthy Tusc has promoted in its quest to build a stronger, healthier community. The meal was served adjacent to the vendors’ area of the Tuscarawas Valley Family Farm Market, which is held on the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds each Wed. from 3 to 7 PM. The market, which runs from the beginning of June through the end of October, features local producers and artisans, all of who must raise the fruits, vegetables, and plants they sell, or who create their own products in their family home, kitchen or business. The market is staffed entirely by a dedicated group of volunteers who give of their time to promote and work at the market, solely due to their passion for local foods and their support for those who raise them. Chef Cameron Krahel, executive chef at the newly reopened Canal Tavern of Zoar, is a market regular, and was one of the chefs preparing food for the event. Krahel has frequently volunteered to do cooking demonstrations at the market, using the items sold there for his ingredients. “All of the food we are using for the Harvest Meal came from these vendors at the market,” he noted. “That made it possible for us to serve the very freshest, most local food available.” Pam Dummermuth, Union Hospital community health and wellness coordinator, was kept going non-stop as she served up portions of refreshing cucumber and lemon basil water for thirsty guests. Dummermuth is one of many area health and wellness providers involved in the Healthy Tusc group, which was formed in 2009 in response to Tuscarawas County’s high 32.4% obesity rate. Health and wellness is the focus of the group, and their presence in the county has been significant, including hiking events and walking programs and health screenings at the weekly market. “We have numerous guest chefs and community volunteers working together to make this Community Harvest Meal possible,” explained Dummermuth. “Healthy Tusc wants to do all it can to promote healthy eating in our county, and this is a great way to do that. People who eat healthier improve their health overall. This event helps raise awareness of that important fact.” Chef Jason Geissinger, owner of Bistro 131 and the Lighthouse Bistro coordinated the food, and prepared tomato bruschetta on homemade ciabatta crustini, while Krahel provided three onion bisque, and Chef Alicia Holbrook, also of the Lighthouse, served a berry and pound cake dessert. Chef Matt Ridgeway of Hennis Healthcare Centre of Bolivar created a tomato and zucchini gratin, and was assisted in serving by volunteer Chris Abbuhl, a county commissioner. Bistro 131 chef Carl King contributed a tasty garlic and rosemary stuffed pork loin chop dish. Other Healthy Tusc volunteers roamed the packed food tent, serving guests like Ben and Suzanne Wherley, who are market regulars. “The food is absolutely delicious!” exclaimed Suzanne Wherley. “The chefs here have really outdone themselves today.” The Wherleys, just as all of the other almost 200 guests, obtained the complimentary tickets courtesy of Pissocra Mathias Realty. Tickets were available at three locations, and were quickly snatched up. Mathias marveled at the enthusiastic response, and committed to growing the event for 2013. He said he was “thrilled” with the guests’ enthusiasm for supporting local foods, noting that the event also recognized the hard work of local farmers and their importance to the community. Said Mathias, “We definitely want to do this again next year, but we are going to have to prepare more food and give out a lot more tickets!”


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