Farm-to-table Pie Fest raises $800 for food access fund

GRINNELL — The first Grinnell Farm to Table Pie Fest drew 13 bakers showcasing their culinary skills Saturday.

Of the 13 bakers, 10 pie craftsman served up 12 pies to visitors, and an additional three bakers made pies for the silent auction.

“I think at least a dozen people sampled all 12 pies,” said Tommy Hexter, director of the Grinnell Farm to Table outreach and organizer of the Pie Fest.

“The pies were so delicious that most people had a tough time making up their mind on which to vote for … but, we had some winners!”

The event raised $800 for the Local Food Access Fund. The money will be used to purchase food from local producers to donate to Poweshiek County Food Pantries and other food access sites.

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Best overall pie

First place: Basket of Apples by Laurel Tuggle-Lacina

Second place: Key Lime Pie by Taylor Price

Third place: Linzer Jammie by Mark Levandoski

Most unique pie

First place: Very Veggie Pie by Lisa Bacon

Second place: Purple Sweet Potato Pie by Vanessa Preast

Third place: Basket of Apples by Laurel Tuggle-Lacina

Honorable mentions

Pennsylvania Dutch Wet Bottom Shoo-Fly Pie by Golden Pear Kitchen, Waterloo

Grand P(l)ie French Silk by Steppin' Out Dance Academy

Divine Chocobliss by Heather Hastings

Dipping into Spring by Cassandra Lawrence

Local Sunshine Lemon Meringue by Anya Hart

Grinnell Farm-to-table is a food hub that connects Poweshiek County area residents with farmers and producers in the surrounding area to create a healthier, more environmentally sustainable, regional food system and increase access to local foods.

Located at 1032 Main St., Grinnell, the outreach works with 35 local producers and operates an online farmers market in addition to a produce box program and food pantry deliveries.