Fall food festival puts its best plate forward in Southworth

Organically grown local goods will take center stage at a fall food festival this weekend.

The Kitsap Community Food Co-op is hosting the festival to raise money in pursuit of its goal of opening a locally supplied, organic grocery store.

The festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, will be at co-op event liason Cynthia Mora’s nearly century-old farm at 4154 Rodstol Lane S.E. in Southworth, an unincorporated community near Port Orchard.

“It’s up to the community. We need to keep getting members to get the store open,” said Laura Moynihan, president of the co-op’s board of directors. “There’s no guarantee it is going to happen so we need people to come vote with their dollars.”

Kitsap has no similar facility, such as a Whole Foods or a Trader Joe’s, said Co-op spokesperson Marit Bockelie.

The co-op is on pace to reach its goal — which it set when it opened in 2008 — of 200 members. There were 138 members as of Monday.

The goal is to open a store in 2012.

“The long-term mission is to connect local food with local people,” Bockelie said. “We have a lot of food in Kitsap not getting into our Safeways and Albertsons.”

The festival, now in its third year, will feature more than 35 vendors, showcasing local produce and various arts and crafts. Pony rides, pumpkin carving, live music and an apple cider press will round out the festivities.

New this year will be a raffle, with a grand prize of two airline tickets of up to $850 for any of Southwest Airlines’ flights worldwide. The winners will be announced at the fair’s main stage at 1 p.m.

Admissions are $4 for individuals and $10 for families. The event is free for Kitsap Community Food Co-op members and the admission price will be refunded to anyone who becomes a member.

Unlike many other co-ops, $200 membership does not entail regular food sharing. Instead, membership provides people with decision-making powers in the co-ops future and discounts at the store when it opens, which remains the co-ops sole purpose.

“Hopefully we will spike in members after the affair,” Bockelie said.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.