Local farms, organic food, school gardens, and environmental education will be in the spotlight, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 at Sustainable Table, a farm-to-table dinner and benefit for Santa Barbara nonprofit Explore Ecology.

Held at the Cabrillo Pavilion, overlooking the ocean at East Beach, the evening’s festivities include a seasonal meal prepared by Chef Lorraine Lim of Lorraine Lim Catering, and a live painting demonstration by plein air artist Kevin Gleason.

The event opens with a sunset cocktail hour featuring farmers’ market-inspired cocktails and acoustic music by Sam Adams.

Gleason will be creating a painting inspired by the ocean view, and attendees will have a chance to watch him at work, and later, bid on his art in a live auction with auctioneer Andrew Firestone.

As the sun sets, an organic farm-to-table meal will be served and diners will learn about the farmers, winemakers, brewers, and chefs who have nurtured each ingredient.

Explore Ecology’s School Gardens and Environmental Education programs will be highlighted.

Sustainable Table’s menu created by Chef Lim will include fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local organic farms. Lim has been producing healthy food for some 25 years.

Renowned for her innovativeness, she will provide a dinner for Sustainable Table attendees featuring produce grown by student gardeners in Explore Ecology’s School Gardens program.

“Sustainable Table is more than just a meal, it’s a celebration of the bountiful local harvest, community unity, and the importance of environmental education.” said Melissa Brooks, Explore Ecology development director.

Tickets cost $200 for general admission and can be purchased online at https://exploreecology.org/sustainable-table-fundraiser/, or call 805-884-0459, ext. 13 for more information.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Thanks are offered to Sustainable Table sponsors: Gleason Family Farms, David Edelman Philanthropic Consulting, Brighten Solar, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, SBCC Foundation, American Riviera Bank, Montecito Bank and Trust, Tisha Ford, Susan Tompkins, Bryan Kerner, Nancy and Michael Martz, and Melissa and Ron Brooks.

Explore Ecology is an environmental education nonprofit that educates some 38,000 children a year, inspiring them to engage with the natural world, think critically, and experience the value of environmental stewardship.

Explore Ecology programs include the Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store, Environmental Education, Watershed Resource Center, and School Gardens Program. For more, visit ExploreEcology.org.