February 3, 2018 was a big "first" for Tri Cycle Farms. Stakeholders including board members, volunteers, and community members gathered at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville for a pasta dinner and celebration of the Farms' successes in 2017 and presentation of its goals for 2018. Chef James Cohea of local non-profit group Food Not Bombs along with several of the group’s volunteers, prepared the meal made completely from either donated or recovered food. Ozark Natural Foods donated items and the recovered food came from Tri Cycle Farms' Food Recovery Program Partner Whole Foods Market, Fayetteville.
Tri Cycle Farms and Food Not Bombs volunteers prepare for the meal and presentation.
After the meal and welcome address, Executive Director Don Bennett presented Volunteer of the Year awards for 2017. Delilah Clark received the 2016/2017 Service Member Volunteer award; Bobby Morell received the 2017 Volunteer of the Year award and University of Arkansas student organization Full Stomachs, Clean Feet, which fights hunger and homelessness, received the 2017 Volunteer Group of the Year for their City Chicks project.
Delilah Clark
Bobby Morell
Full Stomachs, Clean Feet
Next, Don introduced the board and announced officer changes and new members. Ashley Stone and Justin Taylor are the new board president and vice-president, respectively. Diana Chen and A.B. Merritt are the two new board members. Other members include Kelly Bassemier, Treasurer and Heather Friedrich, Secretary.
Ashley Stone (right) and Justin Taylor (center)
Diana Chen
A.B. Merritt