Farm to Flanders – The Ultimate Gourmet Picnic & Auction

Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury has announced a special event, Farm to Flanders – The Ultimate Gourmet Picnic & Auction, that will take place on Sunday, August 22, 2021, on the beautiful grounds of its Van Vleck Farm & Nature Sanctuary in Woodbury. This important annual fundraiser will bring together a devoted crowd of Flanders advocates for a fun send-off to summer with cocktails and delicious food sourced from local farms and prepared by famous local chefs.

The multi-course meal packaged in a cooler tote you get to keep will be prepared by renowned chefs using local, farm-fresh ingredients. This year’s event chefs include coordinating chefs John Bourdeau of The Owl Wine & Food Bar and Carlos Perez of @ the Corner Restaurant & Pub as well as Michael Bates-Walsh of 1754 House Inn & Restaurant, Carol Byer-Alcorace of Sanctuary Kitchen at CitySeed, Dennis DeBellis of John's Café, Adam Lebow of Adam's Baking Company, Clark Neugold of The Foundry Kitchen & Tavern, Chris Prosperi of Metro Bis Restaurant, Karen Rotella & NVCC Culinary Students, Dave Will of El Coyote Restaurant, and Tom Zaccara of The Bull's Bridge Inn. 

Attendees can spread their blanket and enjoy their meal at one of two themed picnic sites, the Van Vleck Farm Field and/or the Sugar House Gardens. As guests savor their meal, they can enjoy live bluegrass music performed by local favorites Sweetcake Mountain & Friends at the Van Vleck Farm Field. Up at the Sugar House Gardens guests will listen to the smooth sounds of the Rachel Merriam Trio as well as the Main Street String Quartet. A wagon ride shuttle will make it possible for guests to explore more of the 200-acre sanctuary and visit both unique picnic sites. 

An auction of unique items and experiences is also part of this year’s event. The auction is online, so anyone can bid and has a chance to win! Some of the items up for bid include a private dinner party for 12 in the exclusive private dining room of the famed James Beard House, a South African Photo Safari for 2 at Zulu Nyala Game Lodge, and a beautiful winter painting at the Hollow by local artist Tom Adkins! To check out all the fabulous auction items and to start bidding go to: https://www.32auctions.com/FarmtoFlanders2021. 

Farm to Flanders – The Ultimate Gourmet Picnic & Auction tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost is $85 per person and meals are limited. Additional items are available for purchase such as a children’s meal, a bouquet of flowers, wine from Walker Roads Winery, beer from Woodbury Brewing Company, and spirits from Litchfield Distillery. The meals can be picked up on Sunday, August 22nd between 1PM and 4PM. Guests can enjoy the live music and entertainment starting at 2PM until 6PM. 

The event was sold out last year so people are encouraged to purchase their tickets early. To purchase tickets or donate go to www.flandersnaturecenter.org or call the Flanders office at (203) 263-3711.

About Flanders Nature & Land Trust

Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that focuses on environmental education, and on the acquisition, conservation, and stewardship of open space. Through its land trust initiatives, Flanders actively works to protect important natural sites and the area’s landscape character and quality of life. Flanders manages over 2,400 acres of preserved land in Woodbury and neighboring towns. Educational programs for children and adults are offered at the Van Vleck Farm Sanctuary, Flanders’ main campus in Woodbury. Trails at its major nature preserves are open to the public at no charge from dawn to dusk. For more information, call 203-263-3711 or flandersnaturecenter.org