Guests at an HGP “Sustain” event at the farm in July. Photo credit: Dana Forsberg
Santa Cruz’s Homeless Garden Project (HGP) is holding an organic benefit dinner at its farm on Sunday, September 18, the latest in its “Sustain” series.
“Sustain” promises seasonal gourmet dinners that feature organic ingredients from the farm, wine pairings, and guest speakers discussing sustainable topics.
This Sunday’s event is from 4-7pm, and the featured crop is scrumptious padron peppers – if you haven’t yet tried this pepper, you’re in for a treat. See menu below. The four-course dinner will be prepared by Chef Joshua Server of Conscious Creations, and will also include seafood from H&H Fresh Fish and items from Companion Bakery. The meal includes wine pairings from Hillcrest Terrace Winery. Tickets cost $60; buy online. Unless the event sells out earlier, which has happened in the past, online sales will close on Saturday Sept 17th at 5 PM. For more information call 831.426.3609.
The setting is outdoors (the farm is located off Shaffer Road near the entrance to Seymour Center), so be sure to dress comfortably and bring a jacket. The speakers at this event will be Hans Haveman and Heidi Rhodes of H&H Fresh Fish. Hans will speak about fishing sustainably and how that ties into local food and community. Heidi will talk about H&H’s new CSS (Community Shared Seafood) program, an easy way for local residents to get fresh, sustainable fish each week. For some background on H&H, read my recent Santa Cruz Sentinel article which highlights the CSS program plus six local, unusual CSAs.
MENU
(choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian; please specify when buying ticket)
- Roasted HGP Padron Peppers
- Farm Fresh Bruschetta with dry farmed tomatoes on Companion Bakery crostini
- September Salad with HGP baby arugula, edible flowers, and a balsamic herb vinaigrette
- Miso Minestrone Soup featuring HGP beans and carrots
- Curried Sustainable H&H “Catch-of-the-Day” with an HGP fall vegetable rice pilaf OR
- Curried Carrots, Lentils & Yams with an HGP fall vegetable rice pilaf (vegan)
- Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread topped with HGP Strawberry Gelato
Also — if you want to join HGP’s organic CSA for the remainder of the season (through late October), weekly shares are still available at pro-rated costs for both “pick-up” and “u-pick” options. HGP’s bounty includes organic vegetables plus sweet, tasty strawberries and beautiful flowers. For more information or to sign up, call 831.423.1020 or go to www.homelessgardenproject.org. At the site you can also find out about donating to the CSA Scholarship Fund, which helps low-income individuals and currently sponsors food and flower donations to organizations such as Santa Cruz AIDS Project and Women’s Crisis Support.
Founded in 1990, HGP provides job training and transitional employment to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Some of the programs take place in its 2.5-acre organic farm, where trainees plant, grow and harvest. HGP also provides volunteer and educational opportunities for community members who want to learn about and practice sustainable agriculture and social justice, and operates a year-round gift shop.
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