August party to celebrate 30 years of nature

Get those taste buds ready.

In Celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Living Coast Discovery Center will hold its eighth annual Farm to Bay fundraising event from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Aug.5.

The nonprofit’s fundraising event at 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive supports coastal wildlife, education, and sustainability programs at the center, raised about $96,000 last year. This year the goal is to exceed that, said Jessica LaFave, development manager.

“We have other fundraiser events through the year but this is definitely our largest,” she said.
Farm to Bay features live animal encounters, food and beverage tasting from more than 40 local restaurants, regional wineries and craft breweries that are set against the natural backdrop of San Diego Bay and the Sweetwater Marsh wildlife refuge.

“It’s definitely going to be fun,” LaFave said. “It’s really just a nice cocktail party on the bay. It’s a fundraiser for us but we are also trying to promote great living.”

Chef Jeff Roberto from Sushi on a Roll will craft up some delicious sushi for the event as culinary chair.

Tickets cost $100 and can be purchased on the Living Coat Discovery Center’s website: www.thelivingcoast.org or by calling (619) 409-5900.  All proceeds go directly  to the nonprofit zoo and aquarium to fund its operations, educational programs and other expenses. The event sells out once 500 tickets are sold.

There will also be an on-site auction to bid on items such as trips and other things.

Living Coast Discovery Center is committed to preserving the coastline which  is why, LaFave said, Farm to Bay is a zero-waste event.

“We’ll have volunteers on-site that are hand sorting all of the waste,” she said. “We compost onsite or recycle, diverting up to 90 percent from landfills.  The goal is to eventually have zero-waste.”