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FeedSpree Insider - September 2011
Mercy Flight is one of those miracle services in WNY—an independent, nonprofit organization that offers 24/7 airborne medical transportation to people in Buffalo, Batavia, and Olean, and has helped over 20,000 patients to date. So it’s hard to imagine that, not so long ago, such a service was essentially unheard of in our area. When Mercy Flight was founded by Douglas Baker in 1981—featuring a staff of five people working with only one helicopter—it was actually the first air-medical service in New York State.
Thirty years later, it’s time to celebrate the outstanding service that has become such a cherished resource for Western New Yorkers. On Friday, September 16, Mercy Flight will host its 30th Anniversary Gala at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The celebration—presented by M&T Bank and sponsored by Buffalo Spree—will feature food, wine, raffles, auctions, live music by local crooner Justin Michael, and an extensive display of memorabilia from Mercy Flight’s decorated history.
Mercy Flight isn’t exactly new to putting on a party. In fact, the 30th Anniversary Gala will come only six days after Mercy Flight’s fourth annual Family Fun Day and Rockin’ by the Runway, held at Mercy Flight’s Flying Tigers headquarters by the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. That event will feature food, beverages, live music from three local acts, games, and bounce houses. Where the Anniversary Gala differs—aside from the fancy venue and lack of bounce houses—is that it’s much more than a good-times get-together. This is an occasion to honor and support Mercy Flight’s generous and admirable service. Jeffrey Mendola, Mercy Flight’s Director of development and internal affairs, notes that last year, Mercy Flight forgave an average of $627 per patient (over $600,000 total) in order to provide help to uninsured and under-insured people in need. He says the gala “will help generate much needed support as we begin our next thirty years of service to those who live, work, and play in Western New York.”
After all the festivities have ended, there will be at least one more commemoration of this anniversary—one that will last longer than any celebration. Mercy Flight is currently putting together a book about its first thirty years of operation, and is looking for stories from those whose lives were directly touched by its services. For more information about contributing to Mercy Flight’s book, or the anniversary events in general, visit mercyflight.org.
Meanwhile, those who populate the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market every weekend, or go out of their way to buy locally grown foods, can tell you how good it feels to know exactly where your food is coming from. So it makes sense that Feed Your Soul, a local company dedicated to presenting culinary events around WNY (and owned by Spree food and web editor Christa Glennie Seychew), would organize an intimate tour that gets locals in touch with where their feel-good foods come from. That would be the annual Foodie-to-Farm Tour on Sunday, September 18.
At 9 a.m., a bus will depart from Artisan Kitchens and Baths on Amherst Street, and from there, patrons will be taken through three of the most noteworthy farms in WNY. First up is White Cow Dairy, a small artisan dairy in East Otto’s Blue Hill Farm. White Cow has been recognized for its ability to produce rich, European-style yogurt from its grass fed cattle; even The New York Times has taken note of its unique products. White Cow’s Patrick Lango will lead a field walk, introduce his favorite cows, and show the inner workings of this exceptional creamery.
Next up is Native Offerings in Little Valley, one of the first farms in the area to embrace the Community Supported Agriculture model. In other words, this certified naturally grown farm follows organic standards and exclusively uses sustainable growing practices—there are no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers. Native Offerings owners Deb and Stew Ritchie will lead the tour through this healthy, grassroots farm.
Final details are currently pending for a third tour.
In between all the farm-hopping, a local-centric lunch will be prepared by Bruce Wieszala, one of Buffalo’s most celebrated chefs. Wieszala, who works in the kitchen of Carmelo’s restaurant in Lewiston, competed on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America, and has devoted his career to sourcing local food year-round.
For tickets or more information about the Foodie-to-Farm tour, visit feedyoursoul-buffalo.com.
Jason Silverstein, a Spree summer intern, is entering his junior year at the University of Rochester.
