Some people were bidding against themselves, just to boost the amount the Langley Community Farmers Market Society’s Gumboot Gala would raise during the auction of donated products and services.
The second annual Gumboot Gala, a night of dinner and dancing to celebrate local makers, bakers and growers, featured a turkey dinner buffet locally sourced by market vendors, a live auction, live band, 50/50 and boot draw.
About 100 people attended.
It raised an estimated $5,000 Saturday night (June 10) at the Langley Seniors’ Resource Centre.
The dinner was donated by local food vendors, including turkey from JD Farms, ham from Otter Co-op, coffee from Republic Coffee Roasters, tea from Culinary Blossoms and multiple contributions from fruit and vegetable vendors at the Langley Community Farmers’ Market.
The tables featured theme-appropriate centrepieces of boots with flowers.
Several people dressed for the occasion in gumboots, ranging from hand-decorated to designer footwear to well-used working boots.
“(I’d like to wish) a big thank-you to everyone who attended and who supported the market from myself and the board of directors,” Market manager Cherise McGee said.
The funds raised will go to the BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program, an initiative that provides $15 coupons per week for 16 weeks to participants to purchase local food from farmers’ markets.
Each year, $560,000 in coupons are handed out people in need, funnelled to local farmers who grow food close to home.
According to the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, the program benefits 47 B.C. communities, 49 farmers’ markets, 79 community partners, 308 pregnant women, 726 seniors, 848 farmers, 3,355 children and 3,500 families.
