Bozeman, MONT. – Whether paying-it-forward or paying-what-you can, the number of customers using HRDC’s Fork & Spoon restaurant and The Mighty Spork Food Truck has noticeably increased in 2021.

With the addition of the food truck and an expanded take-and-bake program at the restaurant, HRDC’s chef-prepared food offerings have proven to be a big draw for people on the go. It’s no surprise that the meals receive rave reviews with seasonal offerings such as Roasted Squash Soup, Turkey Pot Pie, and Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding at Fork & Spoon.

Rick Hilles, HRDC’s Program Manager for both the restaurant and food truck, shared that the month of December is filled with a host of special delights, “For those who are entertaining this year, or for those who simply want a hand with holiday cooking, Fork & Spoon is featuring a decadent Christmas Brunch take-and-bake menu.” Pre-orders are available while supplies last and can be placed through Monday, 12/20, at https://holiday-pre-orders.square.site/. Orders will be available for pick-up at the restaurant on Friday, 12/24, from noon to 6:00 pm. Hillescontinued, “To keep the festivities going, a New Year’s Eve take-and-bake menu will be posted soon, too.”

 

Fork & Spoon is open for dinner Sunday through Thursday and convenient take-and-bake meals Monday-Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Nightly dinners can be prepared to go and fresh-frozen meals are also available for pick-during these times as well. On Fridays, walk-in service is available from noon to 6:00 pm to either pick up a to go meal or something from the freezer to warm up later. A rotating menu and guest chefs ensure there is something tempting for everyone – chicken pita wraps with couscous, panang curry, and holiday tamales are all slated this month. 

“We are so pleased guest chef Claudi Krevat of Claudia’s Mesa returns to Fork & Spoon on December 29th and will be sharing her much loved tamales along with a full menu. of other tasty dishes. This is always a popular night so diners should be sure to pencil it into their calendars. Pre-orders will be taken for full meals as well as for tamales only,” added Hilles.

For those looking for an evening of cost-free, family-friendly holiday entertainment, the Bozeman Symphonic Choir will be caroling on December 16th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at Fork & Spoon. Guests can enjoy a piping hot meal accompanied by the cheerful sounds of carolers.

To round out the December line up, Hilles suggested community members consider completing their holiday gift shopping by buying a meal at the Fork & Spoon and then paying it forward for someone else who could use some help. Your loved ones get an e-gift card for a future meal while you make a donationto cover the cost of a stranger’s meal who can’t afford it. “It’s easy and convenient to donate on the Fork & Spoon website. You can email or print out a beautiful holiday gift card and then BAM! -- holiday gifts are done,” exclaimed Rick.

As Montana's only pay-what-you-can restaurant, HRDC’s Fork & Spoon provided 25,509 meals to community members last year. Both paying customers and organizations like the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation (YCCF) help HRDC continue its meaningful work of combattinghunger and food insecurity across Gallatin Valley. Additional funds have been extended by the YCCF to support the missions of local non-profits. “The result of this generosity is two-fold when it comes to renting out the dining room at Fork & Spoon, or when catering is acquiredthrough Fork & Spoon or The Mighty Spork Food Truck,”noted Hilles..”Not only does YCCF’s support help encourage the use of HRDC’s food and nutrition providers, it also helps other area nonprofits defray their meeting and event costs -- an economic boost for all involved.”Reservations for facility rental or catering can be made by contacting forkandspooncatering@thehrdc.org

In addition to providing so many tempting options for the greater community to enjoy, these programs all contribute toward helping our neighbors in need. Heather Grenier, HRDC’s President and CEO, summarizes the struggle some of our neighbors are facing this way, “Nobody wants to be hungry. But everybody wants to pay their rent or mortgage. And here, in this valley, doing so often means that you are doing so at the expense of other necessities. Whether that is food or medication or snow tires, something is being spared. Even with the swift local recovery happening among numerous sectors, some sectors are lagging far behind leaving many in our community with lingering financial challenges.”

More information about all the December happenings at HRDC’s Fork & Spoon restaurant and The Mighty Spork, can be found at https://www.forkandspoonbozeman.org/.