Level up your cheese knowledge with FIRA member business, Bloom Cheese Collective!

This recurring, industry gathering provides an opportunity to learn more about cheese and cheesemaking processes in a casual, conversation based group. Registration required!

Earn your ServSafe® Food Handler Certification and learn all about kitchen basics in this four-part restaurant readiness series.

We’ll be set up at our favorite local farmer’s market with information about our mission. Come chat with a FIRA member about our member businesses, opportunities to join / volunteer / donate, or to discuss potential job openings in the area!

Join other hospitality industry workers for a weekday hike hang. Bring your sketchbook, snacks, or a book to read at the top of the trail! Please feel free to invite any friends (in any industry) that might enjoy a weekday moment in nature.

Level up your wine knowledge with FIRA member business, Hotvine Wine Shop!

This recurring meetup is a communal tasting focused on better understanding how to taste new wines, enjoy your favorites, and help the customer find what they’re really looking for.

Each meetup will focus on a specific theme, (varietal, region, etc), and we’ll taste and discuss 5 wines related to the theme in a relaxed, expectation-free environment.

Bring your experience (whether beginner or expert), your palette, and a notebook.

Registration is required, and tickets are $15 + tax (due the day of). 👇👇👇

Level up your coffee knowledge with FIRA member businesses, Sicarú Coffee Roasters and WORD Coffee!

Each meetup we will discuss 3 high-quality coffees that are indicative of a specific region &/or style. This conversation based group is hosted in a relaxed, expectation-free environment. Bring your experience (whether beginner or expert), your palette, and a notebook.

Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!

Join other local community members involved in food recovery and food insecurity for a coffee and conversation at one of Fayetteville’s newest community-focused coffee shop!

Join us in connecting with our local hospitality community for a FIRA x NWA Harm Reduction training opportunity!

FIRA will be set up with an info booth and NWA Harm Reduction will be set up with a training booth. Come learn more about both of these non-profits and receive life-saving training on how to administer Narcan, utilize fentanyl test strips, and more.

We’ll be set up at our favorite local farmer’s market with information about our mission. Come chat with a FIRA member about our member businesses, opportunities to join / volunteer / donate, or to discuss potential job openings in the area!

If you’re looking for one of the best spring festivals in Fayetteville, the annual Fayetteville Strawberry Festival is a can’t-miss event. Hosted by the Downtown Fayetteville Coalition, this beloved community celebration returns to the Historic Downtown Square for a weekend filled with local flavor, live music, and family-friendly fun.

Now in its third year, the festival serves as a free, vibrant kickoff to summer in Northwest Arkansas—bringing together visitors and locals alike to experience the region’s food, culture, and creativity.

Join other hospitality industry workers for a weekday hike hang. Bring your sketchbook, snacks, or a book to read at the top of the trail! Please feel free to invite any friends (in any industry) that might enjoy a weekday moment in nature.

Join the Brightwater team in a structured, sommelier-led exploration of modern Australian wine, presented in partnership with Legend Wine Imports and led by Master Sommelier Jonathan Ross. The focus of this workshop is to deliver a high-level but approachable educational experience that connects theory to real-world application in this industry-only session for both culinary students and industry professionals alike. 

Experience Fayetteville will host free, in-person F&B Marketing Essentials workshops designed to provide practical, easy-to-implement marketing strategies for local restaurant operators. Topics will include current marketing trends, simple social media strategies, and ways to make the most of Fayetteville Restaurant Week and other high-traffic moments throughout the year. Two sessions will be offered at 9:00–10:30 a.m. and 1:00–2:30 p.m. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Experience Fayetteville will host free, in-person F&B Marketing Essentials workshops designed to provide practical, easy-to-implement marketing strategies for local restaurant operators. Topics will include current marketing trends, simple social media strategies, and ways to make the most of Fayetteville Restaurant Week and other high-traffic moments throughout the year. Two sessions will be offered at 9:00–10:30 a.m. and 1:00–2:30 p.m. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Level up your wine knowledge with FIRA member business, Hotvine Wine Shop!

This recurring meetup is a communal tasting focused on better understanding how to taste new wines, enjoy your favorites, and help the customer find what they’re really looking for.

Each meetup will focus on a specific theme, (varietal, region, etc), and we’ll taste and discuss 5 wines related to the theme in a relaxed, expectation-free environment.

Bring your experience (whether beginner or expert), your palette, and a notebook.

Registration is required, and tickets are $15 + tax (due the day of). 👇👇👇

Join other local community members involved in food recovery and food insecurity for a coffee and conversation at one of Fayetteville’s newest community-focused coffee shop!

FIRA is popping up with our Prairie Street friends for a full-day, free, family-friendly block party and you’re all invited! EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT FIRA’S BOOTH COMING SOON!

Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!

Join other hospitality industry workers for a weekday hike hang. Bring your sketchbook, snacks, or a book to read at the top of the trail! Please feel free to invite any friends (in any industry) that might enjoy a weekday moment in nature.

NWA Gives is a 12-hour online giving campaign. This regional day of giving sees over 160+ nonprofit participants each year from across Benton and Washington County. This event provides additional opportunities for smaller non-profits (like us!) to get more visibility and opportunities for donations! NWA Gives takes place from 8a-8p on April 9, 2026 - but any contributions between 3/26-4/9 will count towards our 2026 NWA Gives goal of $25,000. 

Level up your wine knowledge with FIRA member business, Hotvine Wine Shop!

This recurring meetup is a communal tasting focused on better understanding how to taste new wines, enjoy your favorites, and help the customer find what they’re really looking for.

Each meetup will focus on a specific theme, (varietal, region, etc), and we’ll taste and discuss 5 wines related to the theme in a relaxed, expectation-free environment.

Bring your experience (whether beginner or expert), your palette, and a notebook.

Registration is required, and tickets are $15 + tax (due the day of). 👇👇👇

Obtenga su Certificado de Gerente de Protección de Alimentos ServSafe® en este curso de dos días y comience su carrera de liderazgo culinario con el pie derecho.

Join other local community members involved in food recovery and food insecurity for a coffee and conversation at one of Fayetteville’s newest community-focused coffee shop!

We’ll be set up at our favorite local farmer’s market with information about our mission. Come chat with a FIRA member about our member businesses, opportunities to join / volunteer / donate, or to discuss potential job openings in the area!

Mark your calendar! The NWA Gives 2026 Rally will be held at the Osage Park Pavilion on April 2nd from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.! Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided by First Security Bank! This is a great opportunity to show up and cheer and help FIRA win some early prize money. All volunteers, industry workers, member restaurants, or friends of FIRA are welcome to join in.

Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!

Theo’s is opening their doors on a Sunday for one of their favorite traditions — Theo’s Bayou Block Party!

Join us March 29th from 2–6PM for a true Cajun-style crawfish boil right off Dickson Street. We’ll be outside, the music will be going, drinks will be flowing, and the crawfish will be hot.

We’ll be set up at our favorite local farmer’s market with information about our mission. Come chat with a FIRA member about our member businesses, opportunities to join / volunteer / donate, or to discuss potential job openings in the area!