It’s been several months since last issue of The Beet, so hello, again. First, I’ll reintroduce myself: I’m Sylvia Burgos Toftness, Interim Executive Director at Farm Table Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Last November, I described our sudden, serious financial shortfall, and I asserted our hopes for the future. Today, I can say that our board of directors are moving us along the right track, and that we’re striving to build back financial strength despite the loss of a major donor.
Our restaurant is doing very well. Our steady growth is thanks to you, our guests, our skilled and loyal staff, and our faithful volunteers. (More about them within this newsletter.)
Farm Table has always been grounded in our community of farmers, neighbors, and visitors. Now, we’re also pivoting to be a fully community-supported organization. The Foundation’s board of directors is adding definition and detail to this change; a process that will take a few months.
We continue to form collaborations with local schools, artists and teachers, and farmers to demonstrate the links between what we eat and how it’s grown. Why? Because these connections affect our cuisine, health, and community vitality.
YOU are a critical partner in this field-to-plate effort. How to partner?
- Come dine with us! Every lunch, dinner, dessert, and beverage help support a food system that produces delicious and nutritious foods while building healthy soil, protecting groundwater, and assuring livestock are treated humanely. When you eat at Farm Table, you’re helping sequester carbon!
- Drop by our retail area. You’ll find more and more products unique to our area. This includes the take-and-bake products from our kitchen. Our chillers offer a growing selection of products grown here: Cosmic Wheel Creamery cheeses, St. Croix Valley Co-op eggs, Peterson’s summer sausage, and Cylon Rolling Acres goat meat, just to name a few.
- Consider holding a private event/class at Farm Table. We’ll work with you to find an instructor for your group. If you’re a teacher, I’d like to hear from you. Our art gallery and learning center offer elegant, yet casual, setting for that celebration dinner or gathering.
- We are a nonprofit organization. This year, your donation this will be matched dollar-for-dollar (up to $100K)
Thank you for linking arms with us. Together, we’re building more vibrant local food culture.
Sylvia Burgos Toftness
