This event is a fundraiser for our groups. All money will be split between FGS and FNB to use for our ongoing efforts to feed our community!

For prospective chefs:

Wanna try your hand at creating Gainesville’s Best Ever Chili? All competitors will receive a prize!

If you’re interested in any of these things, submit a response to the form below by end of day February 27! We’ll let you know whether we picked you for the competition by March 2.

For tasters:

Our chili cook-off is free to attend! Both FGS and FNB will have info booths set up, where you can learn more about each group and see how to get involved. Plus, we’ll have merch for sale too and plenty of free community resources, too.

To try the chili, we’ll have sampling tickets available for purchase at the door on a sliding scale. No one will be turned away for lack of funds!

Suggested ticket prices are:

• 1 ticket: $2 
• 3 tickets: ($3-$6 donation)
• 6 tickets: ($7 – $10 donation)
• 9 tickets: ($11+ donation)
• $20: Unlimited Bean Sample Pack – try unlimited amounts of chili!

Volunteers

We need help staffing this event! Set-up begins at 11AM. We’ll need people to set up tables and supplies for our competitors. During the event, we need people to sit at the door to sell sampling tickets and to assist our competitors in accepting tickets and serving chili. Sign up to volunteer below:

March 8 Volunteer

Free Grocery Store is having our third annual chili cook-off fundraiser, on Sunday, December 15, from 2-5 pm, at Serpentine Plants + Provisions!

Event Info

The Royal Bean Royale is free to attend! Come learn about Free Grocery Store and meet our community. To try the chili, we’ll have sampling tickets available for purchase at the door. Suggested donation prices range $2-20! We’ll also have custom FGS merchandise for sale.

Proceeds go directly to running our monthly pantry and delivery service.

Accessibility info

• This is an outdoor event.
• Chefs and volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves during the event.
• More access info coming soon!

For prospective chefs:

Wanna try your hand at creating Gainesville’s Best Ever Chili? Wanna be crowned the Royal Bean ? Or do you just want that gift basket to local businesses around town?

If you’re interested in any of these things, submit a form below by end of day December 7! We’ll let you know whether we picked you for the competition by Dec. 8

Any questions? Email us at info@gnvfgs.org.

Image description: Hand-drawn pot of chili and various ingredients strewn across the poster. In the pot of chili is the free grocery store logo and some swirls indicating movement. At the top left is a bulb of garlic and a red onion. There is a red bell pepper in the bottom right corner. Red kidney beans are dancing across the poster. The background is a medium blue.

Try out a dozen sweet treats from your favorite local baking aficionados! Vote on your favorite sweet to crown the best baker the Sweetest Treat.

How to compete in the bake off

Want to compete? We’re seeking any local baker in the community from any skill level to bring their favorite baked good (think cookies, pie, cake, sweet bread, etc.!) to share with our community!

Read our competition guidelines and rules below, and submit an interest form to compete. Form closes on May 19; Single entry or teams welcome, there is a team maximum of 3 people.

Any questions? Email us at info@gnvfgs.org.

More Info

The Sweet Stakes Bake Off is free to attend! Come learn about Free Grocery Store and meet our community.

To try the baked goods, we’ll have sampling tickets available for purchase. We’ll have vegan options as well! Suggested donation prices include $2 for 1 ticket, $10 for 6 tickets, and $20 for our Ultimate Baked Pack (unlimited sweet treats oooh). No one will be turned away for lack of funds!

Thirsty from all the yummy baked goods you’re munching on? Grab an iced coffee or tea, made by our organizers!

We’ll also have custom FGS merchandise for sale, including clothes and prints.

Accessibility Info

• All bakers and volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves during this event. Event organizers will provide masks to anyone who does not have their own.
• This is an outdoor event in the Civic Media Center courtyard. The courtyard is cobblestone/brick.
• Masks required inside the CMC.
• There is a wheelchair accessible bathroom inside the CMC. The bathroom is single stall and gender neutral, and has a handrail for the toilet.
• There are no stairs or steps to enter the main space.
• The CMC is wheelchair accessible. The front door is 27” wide, the door to the courtyard is 36”, the back door into the CMC is 33”, and the bathroom door is 34”.
• There will be tables and chairs set up outside for people to sit down anytime during the event.

Try out a dozen chili recipes cooked by chefs from our community! Vote on the best chili to crown the best cook the Royal Bean .

For tasters:

The Royal Bean Royale is free to attend! Come learn about Free Grocery Store and meet our community.

To try the chili, we’ll have sampling tickets available for purchase at the door. Suggested donation prices include $2 for 1 ticket, $10 for 6 tickets, and $20 for 12 tickets. We’ll also have custom FGS merchandise for sale, including handmade tote bags and prints.

Proceeds go directly to running our pantry and delivery service. $150 pays for one delivery day and 200 people served.

Chefs and volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves during this event.

For prospective chefs:

Wanna try your hand at creating Gainesville’s Best Ever Chili? Wanna be crowned the Royal Bean ? Or do you just want that gift basket to local businesses around town?

If you’re interested in any of these things, submit a form below by end of day August 18th! We’ll let you know whether we picked you for the competition by August 20th.

Any questions? Email us at info@gnvfgs.org, or call and text us at (352) 388-1568.

We cordially invite you to the F G S F L E A! Come support local artists, bring and/or eat some dope food, and learn about FGS’ work in addressing food insecurity.

Saturday, January 28th from 2-5 pm

Civic Media Center Courtyard

What can you expect at the FGS Flea?

• Local artists vending alongside our volunteers, from prints to plants, pants and more! So far, we’ve invited: @creacionesdemarycruz, @fabricsnax, @asterionarts, @neitherandb0th, @goldiemoretti, @amacreadesignss, and Reverie!
• As always, FREE food. We invite anyone to bring a dish to contribute to our community potluck table!
• A place to learn more about FGS’ work, from our delivery service, to our pantry, our garden, and ways we’re growing!
• We’ll also be vending some awesome merch to support our efforts!

Interested in vending your wares at the Flea? Email us at mailto:info@gnvfgs.org before January 25th to confirm! We are no longer accepting vendors! Thank you everyone for showing your support.

For a sliding-scale donation of $2-15, you can try your tongue at locally made chilis from 9 chefs/cocineres/maestres! There will be meated, vegetarian, and vegan options available. Wanna just vibe? Entrance is free! Local food justice organizations will be tabling so that you can get involved in local activism.

Three local celebrity judges will be crowning the most Royal Bean of the Royale, and all will get to vote to crown their Fan Favorite! Winners will receive goodies from local businesses, including Upper Crust, Humble Wood Fire, Auk Market, and more!

Do you want to compete? Fill out this interest form by August 14th:

Find our Facebook and Instagram events to share below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/685088915929008/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg8C0FMMwYc/

Find the HOW BAZAR below: