On Wednesday, Nov. 15 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. all are welcome to F.A.R.M. (Feed All Regardless of Means) Cafe at 617 West King Street for the special monthly meal where a local business, group, or organization ‘Buys Boone Lunch’. Every weekday at F.A.R.M. Cafe the meals are ‘donate-what-you-can’, but on ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ days, businesses like MPrints have made a donation which covers the basic cost of the meal. This means that all additional donations on ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ days enable F.A.R.M. Cafe to continue the mission to Feed All Regardless of Means and fight food insecurity in the High Country.
Stuart Mangum, owner of MPrints, has been a supporter of F.A.R.M. Cafe from the early conceptual stages of what became F.A.R.M. Cafe. He continued to serve on the board of directors as the Cafe opened at the old Boone Drug lunch counter in downtown Boone. “Since the early days Stuart and MPrints have been great supporters of me and the Cafe”, said Renee Boughman, Executive Chef, “I’m grateful to Stuart and other business leaders in Boone and the High Country who partner with organizations like F.A.R.M. Cafe to generously serve this community.”
This will be the second time this year that Mangum and the staff at MPrints have stepped up to not only ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ but also serve as volunteers at the Cafe serving food, washing dishes, and greeting the variety of guests who come and enjoy lunch at the Cafe. “We had a great time back in March when we bought Boone lunch the first time and we’re looking forward to serving a big crowd in the Cafe on Wednesday!” said Mangum, “We need whoever is able to come and have lunch at the Cafe that day so we can beat 4 Forty Four!”
Mangum is referencing the fun competition that has developed between the businesses and organizations who have participated in the ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ program. According to Tommy Brown, Volunteer Coordinator at F.A.R.M. Cafe, “We always have great numbers on ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ days. The community has been very supportive, but Boone Drug has the record right now of having 140+ diners on the day they hosted back in January with 4 Forty Four coming in next with over 120 back in February.” Brown continued, “MPrints came close back in March with nearly 120, and we need everyone to come next week and help Stuart and MPrints set the record.”
Several businesses, groups, and organizations have participated in the ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ program this past year including 4 Forty Four Construction, Boone Drug, Inc., MPrints, Best Cellar/The Inn at Ragged Garden, Tiffany Christian’s ASU First Year Seminar Class, High Country Radio, High Country UCC, Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and Combs, Tennent & Carpenter, P.C.. Any business or group that is interested in learning how they can participate is welcome to contact Tommy Brown at F.A.R.M. Cafe. Brown said, “This has been a great monthly event for F.A.R.M. Cafe and for the community. Since we started last Fall over $15,000 has been donated from the sponsors and the diners on ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ days.” Brown continued, “This has significantly helped the Cafe continue to feed all regardless of means each and every day.”
M-Prints, Inc. was established in Boone in 1991. Located at 713 West King Street, they pride themselves in producing the highest quality screen printed and embroidered products.
F.A.R.M. Café is a non-profit, pay-what-you-can community kitchen that builds a healthy and inclusive community. It provides high quality and delicious meals produced from local sources when available, served in a restaurant where everybody eats, regardless of means. The Cafe is open for lunch Monday-Friday 11 AM to 2 PM. For more information on F.A.R.M. Cafe and its mission to fight food insecurity in the High Country please visit the website at Farmcafe.org.