Farms for Change: Raising Money for Great Food and Communities in Need

As the sun set on another fantastic year at the New Farm, Blundstone Canada couldn’t help but reflect on the successful event. With fourteen participating restaurants and several generous sponsors, the day surpassed all expectations. This event celebrates local and visiting restaurants, giving each participant a chance to feature a favourite dish and promote their business. In total they managed to raise well over $100,000 for Farms for Change – The biggest total to date!

A proud supporter of Farms for Change, we are glad to attend every year and interact with event-goers at our classic boot-toss booth. In our usual position at the front of the event, we are often the first stop for attendees, and sometimes the last as well. With a donation of their choice, each attendee was given a chance to toss three boots into the Blundstone bin in hopes to be entered into a draw for a new pair of boots.

Donations varied from one dollar to ten, and we successfully raised nearly $500.00 to contribute to the overall success of the New Farm event.

All proceeds go towards getting great food into communities that need it. This year’s event raised enough money to expand the New Farm’s partnership with Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC), allowing them to now provide funding for five community food centres across Southern Ontario. These centres use the donations to buy fresh, organic food from local farmers. Community supporting community.

Unfortunately, the event was threatened by unsavoury weather, cool air and muddy pathways, but attendees were never discouraged as the event advertises rain or shine. Dressed for the occasion with many sporting their sturdy, reliable Blundstone boots, the poor weather never affected anyone. It was a magical night in the barnyard, with incredible food, beautiful music and great community.

This year’s main stage musical performance was Broken Social Scene, based out of Toronto, Ontario, and featuring guest artist, Feist. Their musical collective varied in size with each song, featuring a different singer or sound through out the evening. It made for an epic performance.

When the music quieted, and attendees made their way back to their cars, the Blundstone van sat prominent out front, with the rooftop boot lit up for all to see. We couldn’t be happier to be a feature at the annual event.

Congratulations to boot toss winners, Maggie and Jillian, and thank you New Farm and Farms for Change for another amazing event!