Benefit Auction Procurement Trend - Four Ideas For "farm-to-table" Donations

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Whether you simply enjoy a good meal or you're a true Martha Stewart gourmand

, you and the guests at your benefit auction will love bidding on a farm-to-table dining experience. The trend has been picking up steam, and you've likely seen a feature of it in a magazine, newspaper, or news reports.

So, what *is* the farm-to-table movement and how does it tie into your auction fundraiser?

In essence, the movement is about sourcing ingredients locally. Imagine the chefs in your town all heading to the neighborhood farmers market and planning their menus for the day or week around the seasonal vegetables, fruits, and meats bought at the market. They're making fresh, often organic, seasonal meals.

I recently dined at one of these restaurants and wanted to offer some ideas on how you can incorporate this popular food trend into your own benefit auction event.

Here are four benefit auction ideas related to the farm-to-table movement:

* Seek a donation from a local restaurant promoting the concept. When your marketing your auction items and writing teaser copy, include advertising for the farm-to-table meal. Explain it - just as I'm doing for you right now. Your audience needs to understand it. Many of them might appreciate the package and bid on it -- if they know what it means. It's possible that a few guests won't understand what "farm-to-table" means unless you define it.

* Depending on where you live, some farmers are jumping on the trend and offering meals on their own farms. Ask for a backstage farm tour and two seats at the table. After a quick internet search, I found farms in Illinois and Colorado offering such meals.

* Contact one of the several companies who are in business to organize meals "on the farm" at various farms. Companies like Outstanding in the Field (which travels around the USA), Dinners at the Farm (which focuses on Connecticut locations), or Plate and Pitchfork (which focuses on Portland, OR locations) are all working in this realm.

* Can't find anything locally? It's fun to create your own dinner.

Call a progressive, active farmer ... or someone with a really big yard. Explain the concept. Show him pictures. Give her a vision. Then ask your local "hostess with the most-est" to coordinate a dinner. Give her ideas. Show her Web links. She could even contact local gardeners. They could each donate a dish made with their own backyard produce. Once the dinner is formed, sell tickets to the dinner at your auction for $30 each, $50 each, or whatever price point makes sense for your community.

Depending on your auction, these donations could be sold in the silent auction or the live auction.

Mmm good. You're on your way to a FRESH and FUN new donation. I'm looking forward to your dinner invitation.

Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC

by: Sherry Truhlar

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