A month out from the November 28 fundraiser and more than 70 of the 100 tickets on offer have already sold.

Billed as a feast of all things local, the 100-mile banquet is an initiative of Stroud Playgroup to kick start community fundraising to build new play equipment in the area.

The gourmet lunch menu will feature food sourced almost entirely from within 100 miles (160km) of Stroud.

Playgroup coordinator Sheridan Thomas said the small group of Stroud mums organising the lunch were “blown away” by the interest the event had generated.

“We’ve had the most amazing response to the lunch with support and encouragement from people from all over the region,” Ms Thomas said.

“The concept really seems to have captured the imagination of a diverse group of people interested in locally raised and produced food.”

Ms Thomas said the majority of tickets had sold to guests from within 100 miles of Stroud.

“We’ve got people coming from in and around Stroud, Gloucester, Dungog, the Mid North Coast and Central Coast, Wollombi and Sydney.”

Ms Thomas said support from local producers and businesses had been overwhelming.

“Not only have a whole range of producers donated beautiful, fresh food for the event, but those that don’t produce food have given money or other goods to help us out.”

“This has really taken shape as a community event,” she said.

The lunch was inspired by a Canadian family who undertook a one-year experiment in local eating which became a global phenomenon known as the 100-Mile Diet.

“We want to showcase how local food is better tasting, better for the environment, better for local economies, and better for our health,” Ms Thomas said.

There are still opportunities for local producers to be involved in the event.

For more information contact Sheridan Thomas (4994 9314), Ange Hutchins (4994 5993) or Tess Hilleard (4994 5665), or visit the 100 Mile Banquet blog at http://100milebanquet.wordpress.c om/