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We can debate health care reform and the brutality of the current economic situation on rural America all we want. But for many of us those issues will largely be abstract. For others, those issues are a terrible reality that can bring everything tumbling down.

The Mercury received an impassioned press release from lauded chef Naomi Pomeroy of Beast today detailing a recent trip to the Farmers Market and some terrible news she received there about Bittersweet farms:

I was talking with Jenifer, the farm manager, and realized I had not seen the friendly smiling face of farmer Bill in a few weeks. When I asked her about it, tears welled up- and she let me know that he had passed away recently. She also told me that Bill had been hospitalized for a while, and during that time, quickly racked up over a million dollars in bills. The collection agency is now saying that they will take the farm as collateral against those bills.

Pomeroy, a strong supporter of eating local, notes that Bittersweet was the 8th farm to be certified organic in the nation. The late farmer Bill Gibson wrote recently of the struggles of small organic farms:

I see the organic movement pass into the large corporate business, my hope that the classic organic farmer of the early year can compete with the new trend. But I will keep on farming because every day I learn something new and share a piece of myself and what I have tried to do with like mined people trying to make this earth a better place to live.

With hopes that Gibson’s memory can live on in Bittersweet’s continued production, Pomeroy is hosting a special six-course dinner at Beast next Tuesday. All proceeds will go to Bittersweet farm in hopes of slowing any further action by the collection agency. The dinner will be six courses for $150 per head including food wine and gratuity, but any additional funds will be accepted.

Reservations are required. Call 841-6968. Menu after the jump.

CHILLED ZUCCHINI & YOGURT SOUP
CALENDULA BLOSSOM SALSA VERDE

CHARCUTERIE PLATE:
FOIE-GRAS BON-BON, SAUTERNES GELEÉ
STEAK TARTARE & QUAIL EGG TOAST
CHICKEN LIVER MOUSSE, PICKLED SHALLOT
HONG-VIT RADISH POD SALAD

TAILS AND TROTTERS “PORCHETTA”
WITH SHOULDER, BELLY & HOUSE SAUSAGE
GARLICKY-BRAISED GREENS & BURST CHERRY TOMATOES

SEARED SEA-SCALLOP
GRILLED RADICCHIO & FRENCH BEAN SALAD
WITH AGED BALSAMIC AND NASTURTIUM CHIFFONADE

~SELECTION OF STEVE’S CHEESE~
THYME & FLEUR DE SEL SHORTBREAD
BITTERSWEET FARMS HONEY
GRAPES & CANDIED HAZELNUTS

BITTERSWEET FARMS STRAWBERRY TARTLETTE

9 replies on “Bittersweet Farms Need You”

  2. You should be able to answer that question next time you’re in the hospital fighting a terminal illness, portlander4life.

    Next question: Sheesh! How does one use tact in everyday life?

  3. No, I’m being dead serious… I mean, health insurance in this country is beyond shitty. But really… $1,000,000 out of pocket? Is this just medical bills, or does it also include the farm’s bills? I’m just curious… not hatin’ against Farmer Bill!

  4. Ariadne Garden on 11th just North of Fremont is also feeling the pinch. They were the first Oregon Sustainable Land Trust. They are open Tues and Saturday from 10-1. You pick, or they pick. Delicious fruits and veggies. They have lots of food ripening now and are in need of more people shopping. Maybe since everyone is gardening and the new King farmers market opened up, people have forgotten it is around. Please visit them if you can.
    thanks.

  5. My best friend racked up $800K in medical bills in the 16 months it took for him to die from cancer. I still get get collection notices as his mail forwards to my house.

  7. I know someone who had a tumor, had it removed, and was declared cancer-free, yet still has to go in every three months and get $16,000 worth of tests (covered by insurance) to make sure he still is cancer free. $64,000 a year to be healthy – I guess a million to actually have cancer doesn’t seem like a stretch.

  8. to portlander4life….that was only hospital bills for 52 days. it is more expensive than you think, especially if you can not afford health ins. 1.3 million it was. He was in ICU for most of it. That is a spendy place to hang out. Along with all the machines, medicine let alone those damn doctors that charge you a thousand dollars just to walk in the room and say hi.

  9. I worked and lived at Bittersweet Farm from Feb. 2006 until July 2006. In that time I learned so much, and experienced some of the best times of my life getting back to basics and working with the Earth. Bill took in people from all backgrounds, from all over the country, and welcomed them with loving, open arms. His smile always made me grin, and it would light up a room. He was such a generous man, a talented musician, an amazing natural farmer with a green thumb that produced some amazing organic greens, honey, etc. He didn’t have any kids of his own, but he did have many children/young people who loved him very much. I cant believe he is gone. I loved Bill the way you would love a favorite uncle and will never forget waking up and coming out to the living room to warm up and sit on the big black old-fashioned Fisher wood burning stove and drink coffee and chat before anyone was up. He gave some great advice and always lived life to the fullest. I will always miss him, and never ever forget him. Bill Gibson and Bittersweet Farm changed the course of my life for the better, and made me the person I am today and Bill will always have a place in my heart. R.I.P. Gibson I love ya! ~Rachel Druck

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