From March 14 to 16, more than a dozen restaurants across the Tri-Corner region — including Pine Plains’ Champêtre — will participate in Nourish Neighbors, a fundraiser supporting local farmers and neighbors facing food insecurity.
The effort, organized by Tri Corner F.E.E.D., asks diners to “pay it forward” by purchasing an extra menu item. The cost of that dish will be donated to the nonprofit’s Food Sovereignty Fund, which buys produce from regional farms at fair prices and donates it to local access organizations.
“Tri Corner F.E.E.D. is a 501(c)(3) that is dedicated to creating more markets for farmers and also increasing access to food in our region to the entire community,” said Blake Myers, the organization’s director of food programs.
The fundraiser works simply, Myers said: “When diners come and dine, they can add any of the dishes on the menu to their bill and say that this is an item that we won’t receive tonight but the funds will go towards the Tri Corner F.E.E.D. Food Sovereignty Fund.”
At Champêtre, Pine Plains’ French-inspired bistro, co-owner Patricia Jean said she was eager to join.
“When they came up with this idea for a fundraiser, I thought that’s a perfect fit for us,” Jean said. “We’re happy to help and I’m happy to participate.”
Jean said Champêtre sources as much as it can from local farms — a natural tie-in to the fundraiser’s goals. “We do our best to source locally. My husband’s background is French and he comes from a farming background, so it’s important to him to support the local farmers.”
The restaurant, which has about a dozen tables, is expected to be busy over the weekend but still has space available. “Saturday is nearly booked, but we always have room on one end or the other,” Jean said.
Participating restaurants in New York include Panacea in Amenia, and Harney’s Tea Room and Oakhurst Diner in Millerton. In Connecticut, participants include Deano’s and The Woodland in Lakeville, Sweet Williams and The White Hart in Salisbury, and Le Gamin in Sharon.
For a full list of participating restaurants and to learn more about the fundraiser, visit tricornerfeed.org/nourishingneighbors.