Silver City, NM — The opening CLAY Festival Farm-To-Table Fundraiser held on July 22nd was a successful sold-out event. It was a truly local, grass-roots meal that honored the connection that the food we eat has to the earth, mud, dirt, and CLAY; it also honored connections within the Silver City community and New Mexico.

The elegant dinner featured Gruet Winery with Operations Manager, Michael Dominguez, making a trip from Albuquerque to attend the dinner and pair Gruet wine with each course. Jean-Robert Be'ffort of A-Space Studio Art Gallery won the prize for best ceramic place setting, which included a farm-to-table themed gift basket donated by Single Socks, a Coach massage Gift Certificate, and a hand-made silver pendant made by local jeweler Juan Velasco.

The meal was prepared using locally grown food from Silver City Farmer's Market vendors and was prepared by local chefs from Brazzas Grill, Shevek's Casual Restaurant, Diane's Restaurant, Revel, Tapas Tree Grill, La Bonita Bakery, and Bad Ass Bakery. Local teens participating in a summer youth internship program through the Volunteer Center, Rooted, grew greens that were used in the salad and harvested the nopales used in another dish. Youths in the Community Youth Building Program attended two trainings in food service to serve at this special event.

The funds raised will help support the CLAY Festival in its efforts to foster an entrepreneurial spirit that engages local businesses, artists, and the global community in a unified enthusiasm for CLAY leading to rural economic sustainability. CLAY Festival is donating $1000 to the Volunteer Center's Food Bank and $500 to the Silver City Farmer's Market.