Long-time Crosby Arboretum volunteer and master gardener/ naturalist, Trish Blossman, will be at the Arboretum this Saturday sharing her passion for cooking all things local.

The cooking class, titled “Bringing Nature’s Bounty to Your Table,” will begin at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and be followed by lunch.

Blossman will be discussing eating with the seasons as she prepares dishes with ingredients from local gardens.

Crosby Interim Director, Pat Drackett, says, “Trish has connections with growers who supply our area restaurants and promote sustainable eating/living. She said she is going to have great fun “shopping” with these suppliers to put together our menu! She will be using vegetables, herbs, butter, milk, and cheese and that have been donated by area farms, such as Country Girl Creamery in Lumberton, Miss. and Covey Farms in Folsom, La.

 Blossman says, “Ann Sharpe from Covey Farms, in Folsom, has started a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in our area and she is going to donate some vegetables and herbs for Saturday. She has been supplying John Besh’s restaurants and is very excited about promoting Localvores and sustainable eating/living.”

She continues, “In a CSA you pay the farmer in advance for weekly produce. It is a shared risk that is beneficial to the farmer. 

“I am passionate about sustainability; you know, trying to eat local more, using produce within 100 miles. It is in complete agreement with my love of native plants. If you use natives you already have ecosystems in place to be supportive their well being.”

Blossman intends to use John Besh’s recipe for Heirloom tomatoes and says the dish is not to be missed.

Drackett says, “She will also have herb teas and is bringing some edible flowers, and is planning to mix up a lot of great recipes as well as putting yummy things like veggies and pizzas on her portable grills. We promised her we’ll have the table set!”

For more information call the Crosby Arboretum at (601) 799-2311.