Published: June 29, 2009 06:50 am      

Batali auctioning off local-food dinner

EMPIRE -- Mario Batali will once again offer dinner for 12 as part of a fundraiser for the Leelanau Conservancy.

Bids are being accepted online at www.theconservancy.com and may also be made at the conservancy's Friends Picnic, scheduled for Aug. 6 at Chippewa Run Natural Area in Empire.

Batali, a New York City restauranteur and part-time resident of Leelanau County, has said he will use only local ingredients in this year's meal. All the proceeds will go to farmland preservation. For more information, or to see other auction items, go to www.theconservancy.com or call 256-9665.