Thursday's Broome County legislative meeting was a great example of how food can bring people together.

At the ninth annual Fresh From the Farm competition, legislators from both sides of the aisle sampled desserts made by young chefs using locally sourced foods including blueberries from Apple Hills Farm, dairy from Trinity Valley Farm and eggs. 

The VINES Grow Binghamton Youth Program blueberry zucchini bread was inspired and sourced from their own garden. The VINES team won the People’s Choice and Most Creative Awards.

Locally sourced eggs and dairy, innovative presentation and plenty of trials helped team 4-H Youth Group Eggcellent Leaps & Peeps bring home the Best Presentation and Best Taste Awards.

 Citizen U earned high marks for Most Locally Used Products. The team also took home the Best Overall award.

Fresh From the Farm was created as a way to showcase local farms and the growing agritourism industry.

This year’s contest was judged by Judi Hess, Director of Visit Binghamton, Clyde VanDyke, a previous contestant, 4-H Ambassador and recipient of the 4-H Youth in Action National Award in Washington DC and Fox 40 News Director Suh Neubauer.