North East Community Center hosts Chef and Farmer Brunch

PINE PLAINS — North East Community Center (NECC) hosted its 13th annual Chef and Farmer Brunch on Sunday, July 21 at Mountain View in Pine Plains.

An NECC spokesperson said the organization raised more than $500,000 through the fundraiser.

The annual event raises money for NECC so the organization can serve the community’s needs, including food accessibility, housing, childcare, transportation and mental health.

This year’s brunch offered a variety of options for people to bid on to show their generosity, whether that included a silent auction, an online auction, or a live auction. Some of the highly rated donations were a week-long trip to Rio, a three-night and four-day trip to Maine, private tastings and a champagne and sunset cruise for two.

When NECC’s brunch started at the Millerton Inn it welcomed 50 people. It has since expanded to different venues and hosts around 1,000 people. With the help from events like these, NECC has provided the community with 240,000 meals.

Meals for the event were provided by Stonewood Farm, Willa, The Farmer’s Wife, Campetre, The Baker’s Wife, and a cake donated by Troutbeck. The brunch started with cocktails and appetizers consisting of sweet pea canapes, tomato tartlets with whipped farmer’s cheese and basil, and candied bacon. The main course of the evening was grilled chicken breast with fresh peach and corn salsa; quinoa with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and olives; fresh cheese and arugula wrapped in thin-sliced grilled zucchini and focaccia with rosemary and sea salt.

According to Cheri Johnson, marketing and outreach coordinator for NECC, the chefs had to accommodate according to what produce grew in time, with plenty of supply. Since the program relies heavily on local farms’ produce and food, the meals had to be slightly changed to fit the supply they were using.

Preparation for the Chef and Farmer Brunch begins around February when NECC is looking for sponsors and donations and setting up logistics for the event. Between March and April, the program tries to solidify most of its details.

“This is the biggest event we host every year,” Johnson said. “I like to call it our wedding … it takes a long time to plan everything out.”

This year’s brunch fundraising surpassed last year which totaled more than $450,000.

NECC gives thanks to all of their sponsors for making the event possible, including Associated Lightning Rod, Black Sheep Hill Farm, Bank of Millbrook, Ed Herrington Inc., Elyse Harney Real Estate, Galvan Housing Resource Inc., Habitat for Humanity Dutchess County, Hammertown Barn, Harney & Sons Fine Teas, Oblong Books, Molly Gochman, Michael Armilio, & Alicia Walter, Tamarack Preserve, Inn at Pine Plains, Watson Livery, Riga Holdings and Diana King.