Celebrating nature’s bounty on the verdant farm grounds of David Thompson Secondary School in Vancouver, Before Sunset is an early-evening event from 4:30 to 7:30pm. Early-bird tickets, which are available until June 20, start at $100 for adults and $25 for kids and include activities, live music, food, and drink.

Before Sunset attendees will soak up summer’s splendour en plein air, drinking in the magic of golden hour while enjoying a festive meal centred around incredible locally sourced and crafted fare. Guests are encouraged to mingle and wander through the schoolyard farm, a direct connection with the environment in which the evening’s food was grown. Highlights include a grazing table and tasting plates prepared by beloved chefs TJ Conwi (Ono Vancouver), Robert Clark and Julian Bond (Organic Ocean), and Sirius Craving food truck, plus beverages from 33 Acres Brewing Company, Wards Cider, and Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktails, as well as a sweet finish by Earnest Ice Cream and Kafka’s Coffee Roasting.

Fresh Roots Before Sunset Menu

33 Acres of Sunshine French Blanchè, and Ocean West Coast Pale Ale Wards Hard Apple Cider Edna’s Paloma, and Mojito Cocktails (non-alc)

Spot Prawn Carpaccio
Hokkaido Scallop Ceviche

on cedar planks By chefs Rob Clark and Julian Bond | Organic Ocean Seafood

Beet Ceviche

marinated Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Farmbeets, and carrot aguachile 

Sirius Veg Burger

Oyster and King Farm mushrooms, mini bun

Rainbow Trout Ceviche

chlorophyll aguachile, KPU farm herbs 

Farmcrest Chicken Slider

crisp chicken, pickled KPU farm radish

By chef Brockton Lane | Sirius Eats Food Truck ~

Fresh Roots Grazing Table

• squid ink soil, and burnt onion charcoal hummus
• textures of Fresh Roots Farm veg, and lacto-fermeted veg
• pickled, roasted and raw KPU Farm veg
• Oyster and King Farms mushroom conserva
• bannock flatbread
• wine-macerated figs and fruit
• crackers, olives, vegan charcuterie, cheese and spreads 

Rainbow Trout Roulade

smoked salmon mousse, Haida Gwaii kelp dust, nori, rhubarb wild-berry jelly, bannock crackers

By chef TJ Conwi | Ono Vancouver ~

Earnest Ice Cream Sandwich 

Kafka’s Coffee Roasting Horchata Cold Brew

In addition to a delicious feast, guests can enjoy fun farm-based education and art activities, plus a slate of live entertainment including a soulful performance from Sam Parton, a founding member of the Be Good Tanyas.

Funds generated by this highly anticipated annual event directly benefit Fresh Roots’ youth programs, which empower young people to connect with both their community and the food on their plate. Fresh Roots participants learn how to grow and sell food through planting, harvesting, and working at farmer’s markets. They develop valuable farming and entrepreneurial experience while also nurturing their self-confidence and ability to work effectively as a team.

Partners of Fresh Roots 2022 Before Sunset fundraiser include: Organic Ocean, 33 Acres Brewing Co., Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Company, Wards Cider, Ono Vancouver, Sirius Craving, Spud, KPU Farm, Oyster and King Mushrooms, Fraser Valley Seafood, Spread ‘Em Kitchen Co., Earnest Ice Cream, Kafka’s Coffee Roasting, Maenam, Seasons Bakery, Katharine Manson Communications, Modo Co-operative, East Van Graphics, plus more generous donors to be announced in the days to come.

Before Sunset tickets are on sale now until July 6 via Eventbrite, and priced at $100 for early-bird adults (increases to $125 after June 20), $25 for kids, and $200 for VIP packages.