Westchester’s Best Food Event You Never Heard Of…

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If you have been to Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening in past years, you are probably planning to go again this year. Odds are though, you might not have heard of this little gem of an event. Entering its 19th year, Feed Me Fresh has become a must attend event for those in the know but has managed to keep a relatively low profile and intimate feel.

The event began nineteen years ago as local restaurants in Northern Westchester came together to support Mount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCCC). A few years earlier MKCCC, a local non-profit dedicated to providing equitable access to childcare and who support working families, had launched a very innovative curriculum called Feed Me Fresh. The curriculum, developed by a group of educators, farmers, and nutritionists, was an ahead-of-its-time, garden-to-table nutrition program that emphasized the importance of fresh, garden-grown ingredients, sustainability, nutrition, and healthy eating. It had become the signature curriculum of MKCCC, and espoused values that aligned with the beliefs of many top, local chefs. When the call went out that MKCCC would launch a fundraiser in support of scholarships for local, at-risk families that would otherwise not have access to childcare, the restaurants stepped up in a big way.

Restaurants throughout the community came and set up stations at the event, donating their time, staff, and food. Each served a sample of the freshest, most gorgeous bites you can find in their restaurants. As it came together, it turned into a unique event that celebrated fresh, local food, promoted a cause, and most importantly encapsulated a coming together of the community. “Where else can you go to meet the people behind all your favorite local restaurants while sampling their dishes?” said Dennis Gochuico, MKCCC board member and event organizer. “At Feed Me Fresh you get to do that, and also support local families in need.”

“I look forward to Feed Me Fresh each year. I can get creative with local, seasonal ingredients and working with other local restauranteurs is rewarding as well. I personally know many families that have benefitted from the results of this event, and it really touches me.” said Isi Albanese, chef/owner, Exit 4 in Mount Kisco.

In many ways, MKCCC defines the community. Operating as a non-profit, MKCCC started over 50 years ago as a way to support moms who were joining the workforce and needed an affordable, safe, and quality option for childcare. Through the years, access to quality childcare and early education has been proven to have life-long impacts on improving academic outcomes, graduation rates and even health. Unfortunately, for many, childcare is not affordable. The cost of care for one infant in Westchester County is as much as $2300 a month which is simply out of reach for many families. MKCCC enrolls their classrooms to be diverse places that reflect the community. It’s what, they believe, allows them to deliver on their promise of equitable access. They have a reputation as one of the best childcare and early learning centers in Westchester and no one is turned away because they cannot afford the tuition.

“Feed Me Fresh is my favorite night of the year,” says Dawn Meyerski, Executive Director of MKCCC. “I hardly have time to eat, but I just feel the love of everyone coming together to support our families and what we do. It’s become something I never could have imagined.”

Feed Me Fresh will be held on Saturday, September 23rd and for the first time this year is featuring chef Tommy Calandrucci of Stone Fire who has volunteered to prepare a plated meal during the evening program following the cocktail hour of restaurant stations. If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend, you should consider it. Tickets are on sale now and discounted until September 1st.

About Mount Kisco Child Care Center:

Mount Kisco Child Care (MKCCC) helps working families thrive by providing equitable access to high-quality child care and early education to a diverse group of children through innovative, developmentally appropriate programming and a holistic approach to supporting family needs. Established in 1971, the Center currently has 145 children enrolled, and provides programs for ages 3 months to 11 years old, in full day care, before school, after school, and summer camp programs including their renowned Feed Me Fresh, garden-to-table nutritional program.

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