Click
here to subscribe to the Sustainable Food News.

For the first time at a major concert, Farm Aid said Wednesday its goal is to serve 100 percent local, organic, humanely raised and family-farmed food at its New York City event Sept. 9.

Dubbed Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Festival, the show will promote food from family farmers and raise funds for Farm Aid’s work throughout the year to strengthen family farm agriculture.

The event features a full day of music with family farm food vendors and hands-on, interactive exhibits with farmers and activists. The festival at Randall’s Island is Farm Aid’s first concert event in the Big Apple.

Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews are scheduled to play full sets; as is The Allman Brothers Band. Other acts are also scheduled including Counting Crows and Derek Trucks Band.

The event is sponsored by Chipotle Mexican Grill, New Hope Natural Media, Niman Ranch, Organic Valley, Whole Foods Market, Clif Bar, Organic Trade Association, Silk Soymilk, Horizon Organic, Fields Family Foundation, Citizens Energy, and Annie’s Homegrown.

Farm Aid started as a benefit concert on Sept. 22, 1985, in Champaign, Ill., held to raise money for family farmers in the United States.

Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised over $30 million to “support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the current system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms,” the group said.

General admission tickets cost $52, reserved seats go for $102 and $302 will get you VIP reserved seats, which includes catering in an exclusive area and other amenities.

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online or by calling (212) 307-7171, (631) 888-9000 or (203) 624-0033.

A limited number of premium seats and VIP packages are also available for charitable sale. Fans may access these seats at face value plus a donation, which is directed to Farm Aid.

Farm Aid fans also have the chance to win front row seats, airfare and hotel accommodations for Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Festival.