Sierra Harvest’s major annual fundraiser, the 2nd Annual Food Fight, returns on Friday evening, September 25, 2026, at the Castello Vista Estate in Grass Valley. The high-energy culinary competition serves as the centerpiece of the inaugural three-day Sierra Foothills Food Festival, which connects residents, farmers, food advocates, and regional chefs across Nevada County. Following the resounding success of last year’s inaugural Food Fight—which sold out all 250 available tickets—Sierra Harvest hopes to achieve another sold-out crowd this year to support vital regional food programs.
Investing in School Gardens, Local Agricultural Economies, and Food Equity
Funds raised during Food Fight directly sustain Sierra Harvest’s core initiatives, including robust school garden education programs for thousands of local children. Hands-on agricultural education serves as a vital antidote to nature deficit disorder and digital overload, providing children with a somatic connection to the earth, instilling deep self-worth, and encouraging lifelong healthy eating habits. Hundreds of local children participate in Sierra Harvest camps and field trips at Food Love Farm in Nevada City each year, and the organization’s garden educators provide hands-on instruction at local school gardens.
Beyond youth education, every ticket purchased bolsters Sierra Harvest education and mentorship programs supporting the local agricultural economy and expanding access to farm-fresh food to vulnerable community members. Local farms generate critical economic vitality across the foothills, keeping fresh produce in regional supply chains rather than relying on distant industrial distributors.
“Food Fight is an extraordinary evening where culinary creativity meets community purpose,” said Eli Bacon, Executive Director of Sierra Harvest. “By coming together to support our local chefs and farmers, our community directly invests in the next generation of eaters and growers while ensuring everyone in Nevada County has access to nourishing food.”
Event Details & Ticket Information
Food Fight 2026 takes place on Friday, September 25, from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Castello Vista Estate in Grass Valley. Top regional chefs—including representatives from Comedor, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co., Dakan, Lola at The National Hotel, Petra Modern Mediterranean, and Katmandu Hippie—will face off using 100% locally sourced ingredients. Attendees will enjoy unlimited gourmet bites, craft drinks, live music by The Edgetones, a silent auction, and the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice winner. Individual Food Fight tickets and multi-event Sierra Foothills Food Festival weekend passes range from $45 to $320.
- To purchase tickets or learn more: Visit sierraharvest.org/sfff or access the event page directly via Humanitix.
- Event Questions & Sponsorship: Contact Sierra Giannoni, Community Engagement Manager, at sierra@sierraharvest.org or (530) 206-0315.
Together, we can celebrate the abundance of the Sierra Foothills while ensuring a healthy, resilient, and secure food future for everyone in our community.