For nearly 25 years, the Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families (BMCYF) has been bringing people together through community dinners, serving nutritious meals two nights a week at the Blue Mountain Center on Main Street in West Point. Each year, more than 5,000 meals are prepared with care, offering a warm and welcoming space for all who gather.

Much like in our homes, the family table is at the heart of many things at the Blue Mountain Center. As important as the nutrition provided by these twice-weekly meals are the connections and ideas that emerge from time spent around the table together. Over the years, several programs, initiatives, and activities have taken root during these shared meals, fostering a true sense of community.

A long-standing goal of the program has been to provide the healthiest meals possible, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Thanks to growing connections with the West Point Farmers Market—held at the center on Thursday evenings from June through October—the Blue Mountain Community Meals Program is now able to purchase produce directly from local farmers. With the support of a small grant from the Calaveras Community Foundation, BMCYF is working with small farms such as Soular Farm, Always Something Farm, Happy Sons Farm, and UpCountry Farms to bring farm-fresh ingredients to every meal.  "Since day one at Soular Farm, our goal has been to provide the community with quality, sustainable produce. We are thrilled with the opportunity to supply Blue Mountain Center with our salad mix!” Says local farmer Ben Kutcher.

Melissa transforms this locally grown produce into delicious, nourishing dinners, served every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m.  BMCYF cook Melissa Pfalzgraf shares, "I'm so proud to be able to serve fresh produce from our local farms every week.”

Outside of this one-time grant, the Community Meals Program is funded entirely by direct donations from the community. Every contribution helps ensure that fresh, wholesome meals continue to reach families in need. Guests are invited to donate at the meals, or you can make donations to the organization at bmcyf.org.

For those looking to support or take part in these dinners, stop by the Blue Mountain Center and experience the power of food in bringing people together.