Food Fight combats hunger in tasty way

Money raised to benefit Second Harvest

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One in six adults in north Florida experiences food insecurity, meaning they don't know where their next meal will come from. One in four area children faces the same issue.

That's why Second Harvest North Florida says they are working to take on the task of solving hunger by providing food to hundreds of thousands of First Coast families in need.

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Nearly 70 local restaurants and beverage wholesalers are coming together on Thursday, June 6, to support Second Harvest's mission through the 23rd Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT. The event invites community members to join the fight to solve hunger while celebrating and sampling local cuisine from participating restaurants.

Jacksonville FOODFIGHT committee chairman Eddie Fink says you can attend the friendly competition and take a bite out of hunger by raising funds and awareness for Second Harvest North Florida.
Organizers say from rich Italian and barbeque cuisine to delicious desserts and wines, the FOODFIGHT has something for everyone. They says guests can expect to a fun night out tasting a large variety of foods, enjoying great music and participating in a raffle, all while supporting a great cause.

Since the FOODFIGHT began in 1989, the event has raised more than $1 million in the fight to solve hunger. Second Harvest says that's transled into about seven million meals that have been provided to people in need throughout north Florida.

The 23rd Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT will be held Thursday, June 6 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Touchdown Club East at EverBank Field

Tickets to the event start at $60 in advance and $70 at the door.

For more information on participating restaurants and beverage wholesalers or to purchase tickets, visit JacksonvilleFoodFight.com.

For more information about Second Harvest, visit WeNourishHope.org.

Ragtime Tavern is just one of the restaurants that will be participating in the event. Executive CHef Scott Welch will be serving up a Low Country Seafood Boil for his entry in the upcoming FOODFIGHT.

Here is the recipe:

Low Country Seafood Boil

Ingredients:

Crab Boil Seasoning

12 baby red potatoes

6 ears of corn, shucked and silk removed

One 12 oz can or bottle of domestic beer

1 medium-size white onion, quartered

1 lb smoked sausage, preferably Andouille, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 lb large raw shrimp, in the shell

1 lb Fresh Mussels, cleaned and de-bearded

Directions:

In a stockpot, pour enough water to cover all the ingredients. Add a crab boil seasoning appropriate for the amount of water used. Bring to a boil.

Add the potatoes, corn, beer, and onion. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the smoked sausage. Cook 10 minutes more. Add the shrimp and cook about 3 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink. Drain the liquid and pour the boil onto a big serving platter or bowl. Sprinkle with extra crab boil seasoning.