Santa Cruz’s Homeless Garden Project is holding “Sweets and Treats,” a Valentine event on Friday Feb 10 at its Garden Shop, where you can simultaneously sample yummy local foods and purchase unique gifts. Call (831) 426-3609 for more information.
At the 4-7pm Homeless Garden Project (HGP) party, guests will enjoy music, face painting, and lots of goodies to sample – for free! – such as Nut Kreations chocolate nut items, Farm House Frosting & Buttercup Cakes mini-cupcakes, artisan chocolates from Ashby Confections, lavender brownies, lavender cookies, lavender shortbread, savory biscuits with dollops of organic HGP strawberry jam and honey. My goodness, I’m getting hungry just thinking about these treats! All food products will be for sale, in addition to non-food items including candles, floral arrangements, handmade soap, succulent wreaths, and special Valentine-themed gifts. There will also be a special photo exhibit by Sylvia Valentine.
The Garden Shop, located at 30 West Cliff Drive next to Depot Park, is offering extended hours due to Valentine’s Day. Usually open only Mon-Fri 10am-3pm, this weekend it’s open Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 12-5pm. The day before Valentine’s, Monday Feb 13, it’s staying open until 6pm, and on Valentine’s Day itself it’s open until 7.
The HGP Garden Shop traditionally offers a variety of affordable gifts including products made in its training program from herbs and flowers grown at the HGP organic farm. Income from gift sales helps provide job training and transitional employment for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and volunteer and educational opportunities for community members who want to learn about and practice sustainable agriculture and social justice.
Founded in 1990, HGP offers many programs – some of which take place in a 2.5-acre organic farm. The organization also operates an organic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture program) from May-October. Get more details on the CSA (it’s wonderful!) at the HGP web site.
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