By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jul 31, 2024 at 11:02 AM

The sun is bright and the breeze is sultry. That means it’s almost time for one of the city’s most treasured fundraising traditions: The 13th Annual Fondy Farm Feast.

For over a decade, The Feast has provided a delicious and engaging opportunity to support the Fondy Food Center and its mission to increase access to healthy, local food and economic opportunity across greater Milwaukee.

This year’s Fondy Farm Feast will take place on Sunday, Aug. 18 from 3:30 p.m. to sunset on the Fondy Farm, located on the beautiful Mequon Nature Preserve at 10150 N. Swan Rd. in Mequon.

A night on the farm

The feast will include a seven-course farm-to-table meal prepared by talented local chefs and served to 200 guests in a tent overlooking a portion of the Fondy Farm. Guests will enjoy live music from Shuga Blu, both a silent and live auction, tractor rides and more. For the second year running, The Feast will be co-emceed by two of Milwaukee’s finest: Trueman McGee and Derek Mosley.

“Amilinda is thrilled to be part of the Fondy Feast this year,” says Chef Gregory Leòn, who has cooked for the Fondy Feast for 10 years running. “We are eagerly anticipating the joy, community, and delicious food that always makes this event unforgettable.” 

Leòn heads up this year’s group of chefs, all of whom volunteer their time, resources and talents to prepare the Fondy Feast. This year’s chefs include:

  • Zakiya Courtney of Vegan Soul
  • Mary Kastman of Purslane
  • Martin Magaña of Mezcla Fusion Revolution
  • Gregory León of Amilinda
  • Travis Martinez of Sugar Studio
  • Sam Sandrin of Midwest Sad
  • Kristin Schwab of Uncle Wolfie’s Dinner Diner

“I’m so proud of where we are now,” says Martha Davis Kipcak, Fondy Food Center Board Member and Chair of the Fondy Feast. “We have programs like the Fondy Market Match, which helps families to eat healthy, local food. And we are carrying on this incredible 100+ year tradition of running the Fondy Farmers Market

“Our work at Fondy Food Center isn’t just about food. It’s about working together and building a resilient, healthy, joyful community of farmers, vendors and eaters. When we support one another, it makes us all stronger.”

Get your tickets

Tickets for the Fondy Farm Feast are available online for $150 per person and include seven chef-prepared courses, live music and an evening of community. A variety of sponsorships are also available for this year’s event.

All proceeds from the event support the Fondy Food Center and its initiatives to improve fresh local food access for Milwaukee area residents while supporting small farmers. For more information, visit fondymke.org.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.