CAZENOVIA — On Friday, Nov. 12, from 4 to 9 p.m., the Madison County Farm Bureau will “take over” Madison County Distillery (2412 Rt. 20) in Cazenovia to raise funds for the Food Bank of Central New York.
Volunteers from both the Farm Bureau and the Food Bank will serve the distillery’s handcrafted spirits, along with a range of local brews and wines. The kitchen will also be open to prepare seasonal bites.
“The Farm Bureau and the Food Bank of CNY are really close organizations,” said Madison County Farm Bureau Pro-Education Chair Johanna Fox-Bossard. “They work with each other to help families in need and to address hunger in our communities, so the idea was born of a takeover event, where the Farm Bureau board, our significant others, people from the community, and people from Food Bank CNY become the waitresses, the waiters, the dishwashers, the bussers, and the hostesses for the night.”
According to Madison County Distillery Manager/Part Owner Marissa Basla, the distillery staff will also be present to make food and drinks and support the volunteers.
All tips collected during the event and 20 percent of gross sales will be donated directly to the Food Bank of CNY.
“We try to always be great partners in the community, and what better way than to support the Food Bank of Central New York?” said Basla. “Supporting families in getting the food and nutrition they need during these unpredictable times is a way to give back to the community.”
This will be the seventh Farm Bureau Takeover Night. The event was most recently held in 2019 at Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia.
According to Fox-Bossard, the event typically raises between $2,400 and $2,600.
“Going into the holiday season, it’s just a great reminder of what’s important,” Fox-Bossard said. “People just need to come, listen to music, have a drink and get some food — just like you’d do on any Friday night when you’re looking to have some fun. That’s all you need to do to support a good cause. [Also,] maybe just be a little bit kinder to your waitstaff, because obviously no one is [a professional] waiter or bartender.”
Madison County Farm Bureau is an agricultural cooperative made up of farmers and non-farmers alike who are dedicated to supporting and enriching agriculture. The organization provides an opportunity for individuals interested in the food system, land issues and rural living to come together and make their voices heard. For more information, visit nyfb.org.
Food Bank of CNY a not-for-profit organization that works in eleven counties to help eliminate hunger through nutritious food distribution, education and advocacy in cooperation with the communities it serves. Food Bank of CNY is the main food distribution hub for hundreds of partner agencies in Central and Northern New York. Each year, it provides more than 22.5 million pounds of food – the equivalent of 18.7 million meals – to hungry families, children, and seniors. For more information, visit foodbankcny.org.
