Farm to Table Brings the Love
On Tuesday September 1st, Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support hosted a first of it’s kind event for our Muster & Mingle program. A combination farmers market and farm to table meal, the evening was full of local flavor and expanding horizons. Our Farm to Table evening was a celebration of the people who grow, raise, bake, create, and produce the food we are fortunate enough to enjoy right here in the Miami Valley.
The evening began with a community farmers market, where veterans had the opportunity to shop from a wonderful group of local vendors, including Home on the Rangeline, Lone Oak Homestead, Rebel Baker, Gifts from Above Apiaries, Marrs Family Farms, Misfit Farm OH LLC, Spot On Laser, Sierra’s Market, and Witchy Whisk Homestead. Each veteran received a $10 voucher to spend with the vendor of their choice, giving them the chance to discover something new, support a local producer, and take a little piece of the Miami Valley home with them. We were also excited to welcome members of the public, who stopped by throughout the afternoon to shop and support these local businesses alongside our veteran community.
As the market wound down, our attention turned toward dinner — and this was no ordinary dinner. Every item on the menu was grown, raised, baked, or produced within 60 miles of our office. From the main course to the dessert, the meal was a true taste of our own backyard.
We enjoyed pork chops from Matthew 25:36, a mission-based butcher in Darke County, paired with roasted potatoes from Marrs Family Farms and sourdough rolls from Rebel Baker. Seasonings from Rosebud’s Real Foods helped bring everything together, while fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, generously provided by an anonymous local grower, became a simple and delicious salad. And then there was dessert. Our pear and mixed berry cobbler featured raspberries from Champaign Berry Farms alongside pears and black raspberries from The Half Ass Homestead. Honey from Gifts from Above Apiaries added another local touch to the evening, reminding us just how much incredible food can be found within a short drive of our own front door.
But, as always, the food was only part of what made the evening special. Muster & Mingle is about creating a place where veterans can gather, relax, meet new people, and feel connected to their community. Sharing a meal made entirely from locally grown and produced ingredients gave us an opportunity to celebrate that community in a very tangible way.
There was plenty of laughter, good conversation, full plates, and a whole lot of appreciation for the farmers and small businesses who make events like this possible. We hope our veterans left the evening with not only full stomachs and good memories, but also a greater appreciation for the incredible produce, meat, baked goods, and other products being grown and made right here in the Miami Valley.
We simply could not have created this evening without the generosity and support of our local farmers, growers, bakers, makers, and vendors. They helped us turn a dinner into an experience — one that celebrated local food, local businesses, and most importantly, the community we are so proud to serve. From our market tables to our dinner tables, this Farm to Table Muster & Mingle was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the best way to celebrate community is simply to gather around a table and share what we have.
For more information on where you can find us, check out our Upcoming Events page by clicking here. We would love to see you!