October is the month of football Fridays, fall foliage, fun feasts, and food festivals in the Greenbrier Valley. Every weekend offers the ability to get out and mingle amongst friends and neighbors while enjoying the scrumptious fare you can only find here at home…locally sourced and freshly prepared foods grown and raised right here in our own back yards. The Greenbrier Valley Local Foods Initiative (GVLFI) certainly wouldn’t want to be left out of the mix!

GVLFI, an initiative of the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation, supports local, food-focused projects and organizations so as to increase economic return to the food producers of Greenbrier, Monroe, and Pocahontas Counties. One of the key elements of the GVLFI is the Greenbrier Valley Grown Program, a local food certification program. GVG certification is the guarantee to the consumer that food baring the GVG label is truly locally produced within the Greenbrier Valley.

On October 22nd, the GVLFI will be hosting its annual fundraiser, Farm Feast, at the Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company in Maxwelton. This is the fourth year for the event and it has been more and more successful each year. Last year saw a turnout of 100 people. A menu of all freshly sourced and prepared foods will be offered, including beef brisket from Milligan Creek Farms, chicken from S&S Farm, and pork roast from Dogwood Hill Natural Gardens, all smoked that day by the Burnout Pit BBQ in Alderson. Sides, including organic greens, roasted vegetables, and squash soup will be provided by Greenbrier Valley Grown certified producers and prepared by the Greenbrier Valley Baking Company in Lewisburg. Also, since the event is being held at The Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company, adult beverages will be available in plenty as well!

This is a family friendly, casual event so feel free to be bring your children. Tickets will be $25 if purchased in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets for children 12 and under are $10. Mingling will begin at 6PM and be followed by dinner at 6:30. Music for the event will be provided by the East of Memphis Band from Hinton, WV, offering a variety of bluegrass, country, and Americana style music. Tickets will be available in advance at Alderson Green Grocer, Edith’s Health and Specialty Store, or by calling 304-497-4300 and asking for Heather.

There is something very special about eating a meal surrounded by the people who worked tirelessly for many months to prepare the food you are consuming. Many of the producers who are responsible for the foods that will be offered will be in attendance that evening. Come to the brewery and mingle with the wonderful folks who work so diligently to put food not only on their own tables, but on the rest of our tables as well. 

– Heather Hanna, Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation