Fork Fest brings out more than 400 West Michigan foodies to sample and chat with area food vendors

From MLive: Grand Rapids, Mich. -- “Shake the hand that feeds you.” At Fork Fest, West Michigan foodies not only tasted savory samples from local food producers, but they chatted and shook hands with chefs, farmers and restaurateurs.

Local First of West Michigan’s 2nd annual Fork Fest, held Thursday, Oct. 18, gave area residents and local consumers samplings from more than 30 West Michigan restaurants, farms, retail/grocery markets, and winery and breweries.

Event attendees increased dramatically from last year as organizers sold more than 300 tickets prior to the event, according to Elissa Hillary, executive director of Local First.

“We were anticipating the growth simply because this was a fantastic event last year and also because there is a real increase in awareness and the importance of eating local food in West Michigan,” she said.

More than 400 people filled two and a half greenhouses at Romence Gardens and Greenhouses in Grand Rapids during the four-hour event. The setting provided an organic environment perfect for sampling and socializing with West Michigan food vendors.

“I don’t think there are many parties in greenhouses in town and people have been really excited as they walked through the doors in this natural environment and the smells from these restaurants is fantastic,” Hillary said.

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