Attendees enjoying a previous “Sustain” dinner at HGP’s Westside Santa Cruz farm. Photo credit: Dana Forsberg
Santa Cruz’s Homeless Garden Project (HGP) is holding an organic benefit dinner at its farm on Saturday, July 28, the latest in its “Sustain” series.
“Sustain” is a seasonal gourmet dinner series featuring organic produce from the farm, wine pairings, and guest speakers discussing sustainable topics. The admission fee, $55, benefits Homeless Garden Project – so you can have a great feast and enjoy good company while helping sustain HGP. Purchase tickets here (if you’d like a vegetarian meal, please specify that online). Read below for the menu.
This Saturday’s event is from 4-7 p.m. The family-style 3-course farm dinner will be prepared by Monterey Bay private chef Alyssa Twelker. Wine pairings, included in the $55 admission, are being provided by Hobo Wines. There will also be live classical guitar music performed by Carl Atilano. The guest speaker is Brendan Miele, Director of California Farming Operations at Jacobs Farm who will be talking about ‘Translating Sustainability Into Practice.’ 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. If you can’t make this Saturday’s event — or even if you can! — plan ahead for the next ones which are August 18th and September 15th (both from 4-7 p.m.).
MENU
First Course
Arugula, summer squash confit, cherry tomatoes, grilled corn, goat cheese and herb vinaigrette
Second Course
Fresh herb and edible flower crusted white fish with lemon-buttermilk mashed potatoes, braised greens and saffron cream
Vegetarian option: Grilled summer squash and torpedo onions with toasted bread crumbs and fresh herbs
Third Course
Zucchini lemon pound cake with strawberries and fresh whipped cream
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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