The month of September is full of events celebrating all things local and sustainable, but perhaps the biggest eco-loving food party of all is the 5th Annual HomeGrown Festival on Saturday, Sept. 8. The community event is a chance to show off all the region has to offer in the way of fresh produce. It’s organized by volunteers who aim to keep A2’s local food system thriving, so it’s fun for a good cause, and the creative dishes by area chefs are only $1 to $7 per small-plate portion. (All the tableware is compostable, so you can enjoy it guilt-free.) Wash all that earth-friendly cooking down with Michigan-produced beers, wines and hard ciders, and burn off the (healthy) calories by dancing to the festival’s lineup of local bands. 6-10pm.
Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market, 315 Detroit St. 734-904-5384. homegrownfestival.org. —AO
