Mark your calendars for next year's event July 30, 2011
2010 Bite of Skagit takes a bite out of hunger!
By all accounts, the 2nd annual Bite of Skagit was a great success! Attendance at the July 31st downtown Mount Vernon event more than doubled this year, with 1,000 - 1,500 guests coming out to enjoy the outdoor event with delicious bites from local restaurants, beer & wine from 3 local breweries and winery and live music from Marcia Kester, Homegrown Tomatoes and Chris & Mary Brown.
We had a total of 39 cash and in-kind sponsors that helped pay for the cost of the event.
All of last year's restaurants participated again this year, plus 5 new participants for a total of 10 food vendors. We are already hearing from more restaurants anxious to participate in 2011. New participant Taqueria El Milagro was voted "Best Bite" of 2010 for their tacos.
Graham Kerr hosted the Cooking Corner, where his team, Margaret Horak and Barbara Kehoe conducted cooking demonstrations of recipes developed especially for the Bite of Skagit, using fresh and best in season (F.A.B.I.S.) fruits and vegetables. Graham also launched his F.A.B.I.S. cooking contest to be held at the Bite of Skagit each year, starting in 2011 (please visit the Vendor page, Cooking Corner section for a link to contest rules and application form).
Based on a preliminary count, we anticipate being able to contribute $6,300 to Skagit Food Share Alliance this year. This information will be updated when we have the final tally.
There are numerous "intangible" benefits to this year's Bite of Skagit. In addition to much needed funds, the Bite of Skagit raises awareness of both the problem of and the solutions to hunger in Skagit County.
This year, we chose to hold the Bite of Skagit in conjunction with the Annual Downtown Mount Vernon Merchant's Sidewalk Sale and the Farmer's Market. We collaborated together to cross-promote these events. Both the organizer of the Sidewalk Sale, Nancy Springer, and the Director of the Farmer's Market, Ron Farrell, reported higher attendance than usual and they both want to collaborate again next year.
Participating sponsors, food vendors, breweries, wineries, and local musicians all gain media and public exposure for their businesses, which, especially in this economy, helps support local small business in Skagit County.
This year, we collaborated with Dr. Diana Morelli of the Economic Development Association of Skagit County (EDASC) and Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), to invite event participation from the Skagit County Latino community. Taqueria El Milagro participated as a result of Dr. Morelli's efforts, and we have already heard from additional Latino restaurants who want to participate next year.
Join us for Bite of Skagit: Sat., July 30, 2011
North Coast Credit Union to be awarded Legacy Award for their contributions to the Bite of Skagit. From a Press Release by the Washington Credit Union Foundation: "The Washington Credit Union Foundation will be honoring the best and brightest of the credit union movement for their community service at its annual Summit Awards Gala on Thursday, September 16, 2010.
The Foundation's Legacy Award, which recognizes credit unions and affiliate organizations that use grant funds to develop community outreach and public education, will go to North Coast Credit Union in Bellingham for its support of Bite of Skagit.
'The Washington Credit Union Foundation is so pleased to be able to assist credit unions and their community partners in making such a significant difference in their areas, all the while highlighting the credit union philosophy,' says the Awards Committee Chair Earlene Fantz, CEO of American Lake CU. 'North Coast Credit Union's Bite of Skagit is a very unique project, involving many community partners, which is what made it stand out to receive this honor.'
President and CEO of North Coast Credit Union, Terry Belcoe, was justifiably thrilled to win the Legacy Award for a project his credit union feels so passionate about. 'There is no reason that, in one of the richest agricultural regions in the world, anyone should go to bed hungry,' said Belcoe. "Also, we need to support local farm families by paying them a fair price for the food we acquire through the [Skagit Food Share Alliance] program, and not just keep asking them to contribute.'
'It's just another example of credit unions coming together to put their money where their hearts are,' added Belcoe."
The Bite of Skagit is an annual fundraiser, organized by North Coast Credit Union, for the benefit of the Skagit Food Share Alliance, a collaborative partnership between Skagit County Community Action Agency, North Coast Credit Union and Skagit Valley Food Co-op. Proceeds are used to support the Skagit Food Distribution Center's efforts to increase the amount of local produce available to families that rely on Skagit County's 13 food banks and 5 hot meal programs. The Skagit Food Distribution Center, managed by Skagit County Community Action Agency, provides centralized storage and distribution for the local food banks and hot meal programs. For more information about Skagit Food Share Alliance call (360) 416-7585 or click here to donate to Skagit Food Share Alliance online.
Supporting local agriculture; ending local hunger.
Giving is always good, but giving and having a great time doing it is even better. See you all again at the 2011 Bite of Skagit on Saturday, July 30, 2011.
