The Tomato Head celebrates the conservation and trail preservation efforts of the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club with their next round of Loving Spoonful fundraisers. The last three Tuesdays in April provide our community the opportunity to help raise awareness and much needed funds for AMBC trail development in Knox County.
“AMBC is excited to be partnering with The Tomato Head in the month of April,” said AMBC Secretary Molly Robinson. “We love to support local business, and Tomato Head’s commitment to healthy, quality food and sustainability is a perfect match. Funds raised from this partnership will go directly to the trails and our efforts to conserve Knoxville’s open spaces.”
Appalachian Mountain Bike Club currently maintains the Knoxville Urban Wilderness trail network in south Knoxville and Concord Park in west Knoxville as well as Sharp’s Ridge in north Knoxville and I.C. King Park in south Knoxville. AMBC provided over 1300 man hours for the layout and construction of trails in Hastie Natural Area.
By partnering with Knox County, Ijams Nature Center, TWRA and numerous private land owners, AMBC developed 35 miles of multi-use natural surface trails at Forks of the River WMA, Ijams/Ross Marble Quarry and Marie Myers Park.
“The network of hiking and biking trails created by AMBC in South Knoxville creates a world class outdoor attraction that is within easy cycling distance of our downtown and close-in neighborhoods. What truly amazes us is the dedication of the AMBC volunteers who get the work done, said Tomato Head co-owner Scott Partin.
“On any given weekend 30-50 incredible folks will show up and toil for several hours with hand tools, literally hacking the trails out of the forest. We are inspired and humbled by the work done by our fellow Knoxvillians and are honored to support their work this month.”
A portion of the proceeds generated at each event goes directly to AMBC.
April 15 (Sandwich Day Fundraiser) Both Tomato Head locations during lunch and dinner will offer a special AMBC sandwich with $3 dollars from each sandwich sold going to the nonprofit.
April 22 (Pint Night Fundraiser) Foothills Brewing’s Bourbon Barrel Aged People’s Porter. AMBC receives $1 from each draft sold, whether it’s the Bourbon Barrel Aged People’s Porter or any tasty craft beer we offer on draft. This event takes place at both Tomato Head locations.
April 29 (Beer Dinner Fundraiser) Four course menu paired with a selection of Foothills Brewing beers. Tickets are only $45 (including tax and gratuity). AMBC receives $10 from each ticket sold. Our location in The Gallery Shopping Center at 7240 Kingston Pike hosts the beer dinner.
- Cucumber Benedictine. Benton’s Country Ham. Flour Head Bakery Parker house roll. Torch Pilsner.
- Wilted mixed greens. Asparagus. Radish. Spring onion. Crispy salami or crispy mushrooms. Ricotta Salata. Jade IPA
- Braised Lamb or Seitan. Herbed Polenta. Spring Vegetable Succotash. Hoppyum IPA
- Strawberry Rhubarb Tartlet. Marscapone cream. Carolina Strawberry Blonde
For more information or interviews, please contact Molly Robinson, AMBC Secretary, at 865-250-0425 and mollymr1@gmail.com, or Michael Kuczmarski, The Tomato Head’s Marketing Director, at marketing@thetomatohead.com and 865-850-2318.
About Appalachian Mountain Bike Club
The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club is a chapter of the South East regional division of IMBA, committed to complement the goals and purpose of IMBA. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable trail access for off-road bicyclists and, to maintaining the trails on which mountain bikers ride and other user groups rely on. The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club supports the conservation of open spaces and is committed to educating mountain bicyclists to ride sensitively and responsibly in order to protect the natural environment and the experience of other trail users.
About The Tomato Head
Opened in 1990, The Tomato Head serves delicious sandwiches, pizzas, and burritos for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans, and is committed to teaming up with East Tennessee nonprofits to enrich the lives of the less fortunate in the area. Its new charitable donation program, Loving Spoonful, is a partnership between East Tennessee nonprofits, regional craft breweries and the restaurant. It consists of a series of fundraisers and special events with a percentage of the proceeds raised going to our community partner of the month.