After a three-year hiatus, Bridgeport Farmers Market is bringing back its Community Dinner. Featuring the culinary talents of Bridgeport Conference Center, Mia Margherita Coal Fired Pizzeria, The Lunchbox Food Truck, Cody’s, Drifter Doughnuts and This and That Bakery, the event is scheduled for May 11 at Bridgeport Conference Center. All Farmers Market regulars, the eateries will utilize local produce to create menu items.

“We definitely like to do our Community Dinner in the spring prior to opening day – which this year is May 21 – to kick off the season, but more importantly, to bring together the market community – farmers, local restaurants, musicians, customers and some of our sponsors,” said Debbie Workman of the BFM board. “It’s a good

way to reconnect after the long winter and get ready for the summer.”

The dinner also serves as a fundraiser for the market, which incurs various operating expenses.

“A big expense each year is liability insurance, and we have professional fees – licenses and certifications through the Department of Agriculture,” Workman said. “The market is not a 501c3 organization and is run like a business, even though it is totally volunteer run.”

Other expenses include everything from website costs to tent replacement and supplies.

In past years, the Community Dinner served as the market’s main fundraiser. Since the COVID pandemic struck in 2020, the dinner has not taken place, making this year’s event very important.

The Community Dinner will also feature a cash bar, WV Craft Beer tastings with Screech Owl Brewing, music by the West Virginia strings duo, Key to Adam, and Kombucha tastings with Neighborhood Kombuchery.

The dinner is dine-around style and doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased HERE at the Bridgeport Farmers Market Website. Tickets are limited and since being released last week, have been selling well, Workman said.