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The Edible Schoolyard is having its first fundraiser, “An Edible Evening,” chaired by Elizabeth Crawford and Kim Elms; I think this is a great inspiration for your next spring party! As you all know by now, The Edible Schoolyards at Samuel J. Green and Arthur Ashe schools have been a great success – inspired by Alice Waters of Chez Panisse and her belief that if children grow and cook their own food, they’ll eat it.
The garden at Samuel J. Green Charter School is lush with many different plants – especially herbs, lettuces and beets, and in the summer, strawberries, corn and melons – and there’s also a butterfly garden. Each child in the school rotates through cooking classes led by Chef April Neujean and gardening classes led by wonderful teachers who incorporate math, reading and science into the curriculum through their experiences in the garden classroom.
For your garden party, why not send an herb plant with your invitation attached? Add a fresh flower from your garden and you won’t have any refusals. We have used fresh herbs, lettuces, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries and flowers as decoration on the food trays to accent the simple, delectable food that’s easy to prepare and serve.
For the party, Chef April has created a seasonal cocktail that guests will love, which will be served in a glass decorated with fresh herbs and tied with ribbons. There will also be food by some of the most important chefs in the city; Emeril Lagasse and John Besh have been huge donors to the garden, as well as many others.
Music will be playing as guests stroll though the garden, seeing the vegetables, fruit and herbs that the children have planted – there’s even a wetlands area to explain the importance of coastal restoration.
This is a party that you don’t want to miss (and it’s very reasonable). Support a school that is an inspiration and a pilot
for other schools!
