Bringing people together, the Yuba Foothills Food & Water Festival is back

Planning to be tastier than ever, the Yuba Foothills Food & Water Festival is back for its second round. “We’re trying to do a few things,” lead coordinator Paul McGovern said. “One is to have a fun, enjoyable community event with lots of music and games.

But we’re specifically looking to support local farmers.” According to McGovern, last year’s inaugural festival received lots of positive feedback despite the rain that occurred. Luckily, the rain did not persist forever.



“(People) enjoyed the fact that it rained at the water festival, but the sun cleared, and farmers were able to get a good amount of customers,” McGovern said. The coming Food & Water Festival will occur on Sept. 28 and Sept.

29. “I hope that it’s enjoyable,” McGovern said. “It brings everybody together.

I think another aspect of community is you see people siloed into different election factions, and at the end of the day, (the festival) is something that brings everybody together. Whatever your thoughts are on politics or any other subject – we’re all together, and good food brings us together in a way that many events don’t.” In essence, it is very much a community event, he explained, where they want people to both come together and have the whole food system be more resilient in the area.

Day one The first day will be held at the Alcouffe Center in Oregon House. “(Day one) is all about supporting your local heroes: farmers, chefs, artisans, wellness gurus and even some amazing nonprofits,” according to the festival’s website. “Think booths overflowing with fresh produce, homemade goodies and enough good vibes to fuel a bonfire.

” There will also be live music in addition to the food. Steven Dambeck, who has been involved in organic farming for several years, is involved with the festival’s vendor selection. “I wanted that because I didn’t think anybody else would be brutal enough to challenge everybody who wants to serve,” Dambeck said.

He was firm. “If somebody applied, I basically grilled them on what their ingredients were. I mostly know because I’ve seen them out there.

And then I said, ‘A condition for you to be a vendor at this event is that we raise your game,’” Dambeck said. “I wanted to make sure that they were making a serious effort and providing something substantial that is local.” According to Dambeck, they insist that the vendors who come serve local goods.

“That our local farmers are proud of,” Dambeck said. “Our farmers will be there.” On day one, there will also be a Farmer’s Round Table.

“What we want to do is have a conversation with each other, not so much bemoaning our challenges, which we all know. But what looks like a positive way forward, and how can we collaborate? How can we, you know, not compete with each other and try to get business, but how do we build a collaborative farming community with the help of (panelists),” Dambeck, the coordinator for the roundtable, said. On this day there will also be a farmers' appreciation dinner at YES Charter Academy in Oregon House, starting at 6:30 p.

m. Day two The second day differs. “The theme is the same, but the color of the event is very different,” McGovern said.

Day two features workshops and tours at YES Charter Academy. “Dive into the world of soil and health, the Yuba Watershed, fruit tree growing, cheese making, beekeeping and Jadam composting. Plus, tastings with master producers,” according to organizers.

The Alcouffe Center is located at 9185 Marysville Rd. in Oregon House. YES Charter Academy is located at 9841 Texas Hill Rd.

in Oregon House. For more information, visit foodandwaterfestival.com .

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