Okay, we know Charlottesville foodies are loco for local, but this must be a first. On June 10, the Piedmont Environmental Council (which founded the Buy Fresh Buy Local initiative) and the Toliver House are hosting a “Meet the Farmer” dinner at the Gordonsville restaurant. While you’re munching on your locally grown and produced four-course meal, the folks who grew and produced it will be sitting in the wings to answer your questions– kinda of like ingredients label coming to life. Now all we need is for someone to sponsor a “meet the pig” dinner!

It’s not surprising that the Toliver House is hosting. In November 2006, chef Jonathan Hayward made the decision to serve meat and poultry only from Central Virginia farms.

“While it may be more difficult to locate available sources of regionally raised meat and poultry than mass-produced foods,” said Hayward, “if we can make our guests more aware of where and how their food is grown, then we’ve achieved our purpose.”

Featured farms and producers will include Retreat Farm in Rapidan; Planet Earth Diversified in Stanardsville; Caromont Farm in Esmont; and Perfect Flavor Ice Cream in Waynesboro. Wines will be provided by Keswick Vineyards.

Dinner starts at 6:30pm on Tuesday, June 10. Tickets are $50 per person. Call the Piedmont Environmental Council at 434-977-2033 or visit the Buy Local website at buylocalvirginia.com to purchase tickets in advance. This is a fundraiser for the Council’s Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign.