Only 30 per cent of Newfoundland’s food is being produced locally, something a new initiative is hoping to change.

A Chef’s Hike was held Thursday to raise funds for a new centre to be built at one of the oldest urban farms in the province.

O’Brien’s Farm is holding a fundraising Chef’s Hike on the farm grounds this afternoon to raise funds for their new learning centre. The rain is falling but that hasn’t dampened anyone’s spirit.
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The event featured chefs from three local restaurants, Mallard Cottage, Chinched and the Merchant Tavern. More than one hundred people attended the event that cost $125 per ticket.

The O’Brien Farm Learning Centre will promote sustainable farming practices and talk about the history of farming in the province.

Honorary patron of the O’Brien Farm Foundation Mark Critch says 90 per cent of the food in the province used to be locally sourced, but now 70 per cent is shipped in on a ferry.

Critch says he has a personal connection to the farm. He says his mother was good friends with the O’Brien brothers and he used to go to the farm when he was a kid.

He said he loved the farm and that it is like a little part of Ireland right in the middle of the city.