On September 17, Rocky Mountain Gardens came alive for A Taste of Missoula’s Finest—an evening filled with incredible food, generous giving and an unmistakable sense of community.
Guests gathered around tables, explored the gardens, bid enthusiastically and raised their paddles in support of the people, places and educational opportunities that make Missoula County stronger. Together, our community raised nearly $45,000 in support for the Healthy Acres Healthy Communities Foundation and the programs of the Missoula County Department of Ecology & Extension.
That generosity will reach across the Department—supporting hands-on youth education, culinary classes, native plants and pollinator habitat, conservation work experiences, home-energy resilience, pesticide-free biocontrol and the continued growth of Rocky Mountain Gardens.
Our Culinary Partners
The evening would not have been possible without the chefs and culinary partners who shared their talents and created a truly memorable meal. Our heartfelt thanks go to Double K Ranch, Will’s Noods, Sal’s Kitchen Catering, Žena Homemade Goods, Rock Creek Lodge and the Blackfoot Valley CattleWomen.
Our Sponsors and Auction Donors
We are also deeply grateful to the businesses, organizations and individuals whose sponsorships and auction donations inspired enthusiastic bidding and helped make the evening such a success:
Jerry and Sharon Marks, Old Salt Festival, Montana Knife Company, Pirrie’s Sweets & Treats, Pink Grizzly Nursery, Hall’s Reins & Manes, Jon Rimel, Raptor of the Rockies, The Rhino, Charlotte and Dennis Iverson, John Shaffner and Joe Stewart, Kari Brittain, Erin Yost-Miller, Summit Beverages, Caras Nursery, Shawn and Shane Clouse, Garden City Florascaping, , Western MT Co-op and Zootown Music Festival.
Throughout the evening, we heard heartfelt stories showing how this work begins with something simple: a seed held in a child’s hand, a young person’s first day working in conservation, a meal prepared from garden-fresh ingredients or a neighbor learning how to care for their home and landscape. Those moments grow into knowledge, confidence and connections that can last a lifetime.
More than anything, the evening reminded us that this work belongs to all of us. The Foundation, the Department, our partners, educators, volunteers, donors and participants are part of one connected community—and together, we are growing what matters.
To every chef, sponsor, auction donor, volunteer, speaker and guest who made the evening possible: thank you. We left with full plates, full hearts and a renewed sense of what is possible when a community comes together.
