Educational Event Teaches Importance of Eating Local
The 2019 Food Expo takes place Thursday, March 14 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Lincoln Ave, Marshfield.
2/28/18 – Take the mystery out of the origins of food and connect with local producers at the third annual Local Food Expo, which returns this March.
The expo is an educational event that allows Marshfield area farmers and food vendors from within a fifty miles radius to showcase their products to the community, and encourages buying local food.
At least 25 booths will be set up, and attendees can chat with producers, sample free local popcorn and teas, purchase locally sourced meals from Chef C’s Munchie Mobile and sign up for summer produce through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares. For kids, there will be face painting and activities, and one lucky visitor will take home a basket of local goods.
Eating local comes with many economic and nutritional benefits, which attendees will learn all about at the Expo.
“For one thing, eating food that is grown locally typically spends less time in transit from farm to fork, so less nutrients are lost,” said Laura Zelenek, Health Educator for the Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach. “Buying food directly from local producers increases the dollars that go in their pocket, and ultimately that is spent back in our community.”
Also featured is the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Grower’s Spudmobile exhibit, which is a traveling bus that’s all about potatoes. Participants will learn more about the varieties, production, and nutritional value of the potato during the interactive tour.
“They even have a ‘potato couch’ that you can sit in, which would, of course, make you a ‘couch potato,’” said Zelenek. “It is definitely worth walking through.”
The highlight of the event has always been talking with farmers about the products made locally.
“It sounds simple, but a large number of attendees say that’s what they enjoy the most: meeting the farmers and talking to people. They’ve found it to be a very positive social event,” said Zelenek. “From personal experience, I can say it is a fun and happy group – there is lots of laughter and chatter!”
The expo is presented by Marshfield Clinic Health System and Healthy Lifestyles-Marshfield Area Coalition in partnership with the First Presbyterian Church Green Team. It will take place Thursday, March 15 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Marshfield.
