VNA, Elm Bank, Wellesley — The crowd enjoys gourmet offerings at the Visiting Nurse’s Association’s 10th annual Fresh Taste fundraiser.

The non-profit Natick Visiting Nurse Association home health care agency held its 10th annual Fresh Taste benefit on Oct. 13 at Elm Bank Reservation. The event netted almost $50,000 to support the VNA in its endeavor to provide home healthcare to individuals throughout MetroWest, regardless of their ability to pay. Costs covered include unreimbursed care VNA clinicians provide to patients, including those associated with wound care, telehealth and ComfortCare, the agency’s palliative care program. Funds were raised through a live and silent auction, ticket sales, and sponsorships.

The siren song of fantastic food and drink was a huge draw, and the crowd of 200 milled about tasting the offerings of almost 20 providers, four from Wellesley:

Captain Marden’s Seafood provided sushi as well as smoked bluefish pate crostini.

The Cottage served Lamb Bolognese, made with slow braised lamb, San Marzano tomatoes, parmesan, and local ricotta cheese.

Bocado offered a selection of Spanish cheese and charcuterie, mixed Spanish olives, and nuts.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea rounded out the meal with regular and decaf coffee.

On the auction side of things, Wellesley merchants (along with about a dozen others) showed their generosity by providing goods and services to the highest bidder:

Wellesley College’s Nehoiden Golf Club pitched in an 18-round game for four plus two copies of coffee table book, Nehoiden Golf Club and the History of Golf at Wellesley College.

Shop Wellesley donated gift cards to London Harness, European Manor, and Fast Frame, and A.M. DePrisco also kicked in a generous gift certificate.

Captain Marden’s, who not only helped feed the crowd, co-donated (along with the Fresh Taste Committee) Wines Around the World.

Anderson’s Jewelers donated a sterling silver sailor knot cuff bracelet.

The biggest winning bid for the silent auction part was $400 for a collection of hand-selected wines from around the world, along with a cookbook autographed by its author/chef. On the live auction side of things, the highest bid was $2100, which won the bidder a group tour of WCVB’s studio and newsroom.

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