Foodstock fundraiser to stop Melancthon Mega Quarry

Heading into the Melancthon area north of Shelburne by bus, it became obvious that this wasn’t going to be like your average corn roast in the woods. For kilometres around the fields had been turned into makeshift parking lots to accommodate the thousands of people trekking into Foodstock. The event presented by the Canadian Chefs’ Congress and local area residents was organized to raise funds for their legal fight against the proposed Melancthon mega quarry. While it was difficult to gauge how many people attended the foodie free-for-all in the sticks, by 3pm one of the booths had alone served up over 2,700 helpings of their chosen crudités.
The Highland company, which has bought up over 7,000 acres of local farmland under the guise of starting a potato-farming venture, has filed an application to begin excavation for what will become Canada’s largest quarry for limestone aggregate mining. This mega quarry would have a profound and unchangeable effect on the surrounding environment, watersheds and agricultural community who have been farming on the land for generations.
Foodstock brought around 100 chefs together for a fundraising cookout in the woods with performances by Ron Sexsmith, Jim Cuddy and Sarah Harmer. Participants came armed with plates, cups and rain gear to brave the muddy paths and sample the delicious food for a minimum donation of $10.00.