Gingerbread house architects should prepare to get creative as Ridgefield’s sixth annual Gingerbread House Festival competition is set to kick off this December.
The Ridgefield Community Gleaners Association, an organization committed to combating food insecurity in Ridgefield, will host the gingerbread house competition this year.
“We don’t want to see this go away because … the residents love it,” said Norman Farrell, president of the Ridgefield Community Gleaners Association. “They get lots of people coming by to look at the gingerbread houses, and we just didn’t want to give up that fun.”
History of the Gleaners
Founded in 2017, the Ridgefield Gleaners Association addresses food insecurity in the community by sourcing fresh produce for families in need. The organization collects surplus fruits and vegetables from local gardens and farms during the growing season and purchases additional produce year-round at the best prices possible.
The nonprofit’s 20 volunteers work with local organizations such as the Ridgefield Family Resource Center and Compassion 360 to deliver fresh food to families who may be struggling to make ends meet.
“We collect and harvest fresh fruit and vegetables from local gardens and farms during the growing season, and year-round, we purchase produce at the best price we can on a weekly basis,” Gleaner Carol Tocco said.
The Gleaners also work with local farmers to contribute what would otherwise be unused produce. Farrell said, in a given year, between 4,000 and 6,000 pounds of produce are grown in Ridgefield.
How to participate
The Gingerbread House Festival will take place from Dec. 7 to Dec. 14 at the Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N. Main Ave. The event is open to all ages, with four different age groups for participants: first through third graders, fourth through sixth graders, middle/high schoolers (combined) and adults. The gingerbread houses, which should be no larger than 18 inches by 18 inches, will be displayed for the community to enjoy, with attendees encouraged to vote for their favorite creations.
The People’s Choice Favorite from each age group will receive a gift, with voting taking place throughout the week.
Key Dates for the Gingerbread House Festival
Drop-off: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Dec. 7
Pick-up, winners announced and gifts presented: 10 a.m. Dec. 14.
Empty Bowl Fundraiser
Alongside the Gingerbread House Festival, the Ridgefield Gleaners are hosting their annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at Outlook Park. Attendees can purchase a handmade bowl along with a dry soup mix for a suggested $25 donation. Each bowl is crafted by local potters, including Patricia Newhouse from the Ridgefield Art Association and other artists who have donated their work for the cause. Proceeds from the Empty Bowl Fundraiser will support the Gleaners’ food security efforts.
“People can take these stoneware bowls, a dry soup mix and the recipe with them,” Tocco said.
To learn more about the nonprofit, go to facebook.com/Ridge fieldGleaners.
