Throwing a party is how five young adventure seekers are building up a contingency fund.
Brendan Harris and four of his friends are preparing to sail from Florida to Australia with their departure from the Sunshine State set for mid-December.
It will be the second journey for The Foragers Galley, a group of sailing hunter-gatherers. Their first trip was a one-month voyage from Victoria to Cortez Island and back.
Gearing up to embark on a much longer journey, the crew has saved up and pooled money together to cover the costs of the 11-month trip, but they set nothing aside for emergencies.
The Foragers Galley is hosting its Farewell Feast and Fundraiser on Sept. 7 to raise money for their contingency fund. The feast will feature local and wild foods on a private property in rural Saanich.
The hunter-gatherers that make up the five-person group say the focus of their journey is to learn how to forage for food in one’s natural environment.
During the journey the crew will be depending on the knowledge of the locals as they learn to forage for wild foods in the countries they visit. On their Victoria to Cortez trip, the crew was already well-versed in wild foods.
“In different countries you aren’t allowed to import fruit and a lot of the time you have to fumigate the boat before going to a new country,” Harris said. “We’ll be eating a lot of seafood and probably eating fish at least once a day.”
While the menu for the feast fundraiser is still being finalized, foraging for local food will play a part in what’s served.
A local roasted pig and lamb, alongside salmon and wild mushrooms are currently set to be cooked. “Chanterelles have been popping up with all the fog in Sooke lately,” Harris said.
The feast is an all ages event with free camping available.
“We are encouraging people to camp, and not drink and drive,” Harris said. “There will also be lots of children and grandparents.”
The field will open at 4 p.m. with an oyster bar and appetizers. Dinner will begin at 6 p.m., followed by an after party.
About 150 tickets to the event are available at $30 each.
The Foragers Galley Farewell Feast and fundraiser will be held near Mount Work on private property. Attendees will be provided the address upon purchasing tickets at foragersgalley.com.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com