The annual cooking fundraiser for the Coupeville Farm to School Program is still green-lit, although it has been modified to better ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cook for a Cause fundraiser is normally a competition held to determine which local amateur chef can produce the best meal.

The event is traditionally a sit-down dinner in Coupeville’s Nordic Hall.

On average, in previous years, the event raised approximately $22,000 to $25,000 for the Coupeville Farm to School Program.

The Coupeville Farm to School Program seeks to educate students in local food production process.

This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will no longer be a competition. Instead, 20 amateur cooks will be providing 100 meals that can be ordered online and picked up at Coupeville Elementary.

In addition, the fundraiser will host an online auction for the first time. The new auction will last about a week.

“It’s a really different experience but it’s in the comfort of people’s homes and they’ll get to enjoy a really delicious dinner,” said Anne Harvey, board chairwoman for Coupeville Farm to School.

Harvey said that transitioning the event to a online was an adventure, and that the planning committee is learning how to make the event fun and engaging for participants even though the traditional sit-down dinner and judging is canceled.

“You know we’re all about students and kids learning,” Harvey said.

“This is a learning opportunity for us.”

Registration for the event has already started with the meals available for pick up on July 23.

Diners will have the option to select from five different meal plans with entrees ranging from chicken to fish.

The dinner will also include appetizers, beverages and desserts.

While Harvey said she doesn’t want to put pressure on businesses that are struggling financially because to the pandemic, the online auction will include goods donated by local farms and businesses, as well as such food-based experiences as farm tours, dinners prepared by local professional chefs and spirit tastings.

• To register and select a dinner, and to access the auction when it goes live on July 17, email to coupevillefarm2school@gmail.com