Recycle Utah’s 100 Mile Meal is a celebration of local farmers, ranchers, and libations

This year's 100 Mile Meal event is sold out. Photo: Stella de Smit

PARK CITY, Utah. — Recycle Utah, founded in 1991, serves the community by reducing waste and preventing groundwater pollution. The non-profit is on a mission to empower people to lead sustainable lives. The sixth annual 100 Mile Meal is a fundraising event that provides guests with a delectable sustainability experience. On August 14th, 100 people will enjoy a five-course meal where every ingredient comes from within a 100-mile radius of Park City.

Eric Moldenhauer is Recycle Utah’s Communications Director. Eric explains how the 100 Mile Meal influences the community, “To have every ingredient come from within 100 miles of Park City and Recycle Utah is incredible. We are practicing what we preach and encouraging people to shop local, eat local, and buy local.”

The 100 Mile Meal is a collaboration between Recycle Utah and local farmers, ranchers, artisans, brewers, and distillers. Community food suppliers who share a vision of sustainability contribute the majority of the ingredients. The relationships are synchronistic. “We promote the farmers who donate to us… We couldn’t have the event without them,” Eric says, “The majority of them are at the Park City Farmer’s Market… We want to support them, and that is why we built those relationships.”

Market vendors who donate to the 100 Mile Meal include; Ranui Gardens, Wasatch Creamery, Ioulia Greek Olive Oil Co., Volker’s Bakery, Tagge’s Famous Fruit, and Veggie Farm, and 44 Magnum Beef.

Every portion of the meal is local, including the chefs. “Vail EpicPromise is a big sponsor, and this wouldn’t happen without them… They provide chef Alex Malmborg who is their head chef up here. He and his team are cooking a meal that is sustainable all over,” Eric says.

Feast ingredients depend on the availability of local produce. “The menu is created a few weeks before the event, which is wonderful,” Eric explains, “It is a surprise for the guests, a surprise for the chefs, and everybody always loves it.”

The funds raised from the 100 Mile Meal help support and sustain Recycle Utah’s daily operations and educational programs. “The fundraiser goes towards all of our operations, which includes our recycling operations. Each year we recycle about 3.7 million pounds of material for our community,” Eric says, “Also [funds go towards] our educational programs… Our education director educates over 5,000 students per year in Summit and Wasatch Counties. We also teach adult groups and organizations.”

The main educational topics include water conservation and awareness, recycling, composting, and reimagining how we live. “We cover the full spectrum. It’s not just recycling… We teach the four R’s, reducing, reusing, recycling, and the fourth R is teaching people to rethink small changes in their everyday lives, how they can impact themselves, their neighbors, and their community,” Eric describes.

For guests, food suppliers, chefs, and organizers, the 100 Mile Meal is an opportunity to appreciate local food sources and celebrate sustainability. Enthusiastically Eric explains the 100 Mile Meal core values, “It is a celebration and fundraiser for Recycle Utah. We look at it as a way for us to celebrate local farmers and ranchers and educate people and support them in that process.”

The goal is for people to learn about the availability and ease of buying and cooking with local ingredients. In addition, recycle Utah hopes that those who attend the event will rethink where their food comes from and gain a new respect for local ingredients.

The 100 Mile Meal is an anticipated culinary experience, and spots for the 2021 celebration are sold out. For those interested in buying tickets for 2022, the event details will be on Recycle Utah’s website in January. Tickets will go on sale between late winter and early spring. If the scenario with COVID continues to improve, Recycle Utah intends to serve 160 guests next year.

Written on behalf of Neighbors of Park City.