North Portland Community Orchard* Groundbreaking
Saturday April 6th
10am-1pm

Join Portland Fruit Tree Project, Village Gardens, and North Portland community members for the first planting of the new North Portland Community Orchard!  Saturday April 6th 10am-1pm near the intersection of N Alaska and N Trenton (light snacks and refreshments will be provided)

The event will begin with introductions from the orchard partners, Home Forward, and special guest, Mayor Charlie Hales!

After presentations, we will commence planting of various fruit trees and plants, shrubs and bushes, and other beneficial perennials. We will also be installing a mulched bed near some existing fruit trees and mulching around all the new plantings.

Following the work party will be time to enjoy some light snacks and refreshments and celebrate the launch of this exciting new community orchard.

If you are interested in helping with the planting, please register by clicking here, so we know how many tools to provide (if you don’t register, you are still more than welcome to come, but understand that we might not have enough tools for unregistered attendees). If you have tools (shovels, forks, soil rakes, etc.) please bring them, and let Spencer know what you are bringing (spencer@portlandfruit.org, 503-284-6106)!

*The orchard is located just north of Village Gardens’ Seeds of Harmony Garden (at the intersection of N Alaska and N Trenton near the Charles Jordan Center – 9009 N Foss Ave). Please park near the Seeds of Harmony Garden and walk on the sidewalk (on the east side of the garden) north to the Orchard (note: there is no parking adjacent to the orchard).

Village Gardens will raise money for market gardens, incubator kitchens at University of Portland fundraiser

 Casey Parks, The Oregonian

 

Asha Gebibo, 64, makes injera every other day at the Village Market in New Columbia. Casey Parks/The Oregonian

University of Portland will host a fundraiser Friday for the nonprofit Village Gardens. The evening will include food from James Beard Nominee Cathy Whims of Nostrana, community participant presentations, videos and a silent and live auction.

Most people know Village Gardens through its corner store Village Market. The store in New Columbia offers fresh produce, take-out food from different countries and staples such as milk, bread and spices.

The organization also runs the Food Works farm on Sauvie Island and sponsors individual and family garden plots in low-income areas. The nonprofit it also offers employment opportunities for adults and teens, as well as after-school and summer activities for children and homework clubs. It also runs a livestock project, a community health worker program and a youth-run entrepreneurial business that grows and sells salad mixes at local farmers markets.

For the past 10 years, the nonprofit has focused on using grants to pay for its programs in low-income areas such as St. Johns Woods. It’s never asked for donations before. The new campaign hopes to build a network of donors. The money raised at this event will support families as they launch small market garden and farm businesses. It will create an incubator kitchen at the Village Market. And it will establish a seasonal community street farmers market in New Columbia.

They’re still looking for businesses to sponsor tables. So far, sponsors include University of Portland, and its School of Nursing, Bon Appétit, Nostrana, Portland Nursery, and New Seasons Market. Partners for the dinner include Columbia Distribution, Deschutes Brewery, Widmer Brewery, Casa Bruno, A to Z Wineworks, Alpenrose Dairy, Dry Soda and Batchpdx.

Tickets for the event, which runs 6-9 p.m. in the Bauccio Commons on campus, are $40 and on sale at www.villagegardens.org.

Join Village Gardens for our first annual spring fundraising event, an inspiring opportunity to celebrate and learn about Village Gardens work to create a more just and healthy food system in Portland. The evening will include food from James Beard Nominee Cathy Whims of Nostrana, community participant presentations, brief videos highlighting program successes and a silent and live auction. 

Event Details

Friday, March 15 6:00-9:00pm

Bauccio Commons, University of Portland (Directions and Map)

Funds raised at this event will be used to further the work of Village Gardens. In 2013 Village Gardens plans to focus on Growing a Neighborhood Food Hub From Seeds to Sales by Supporting families to launch small market garden and farm businesses, creating a community incubator kitchen in partnership with the Village Market community-run health corner store, and establishing a seasonal community street farmers market in New Columbia. The project will support the development of a full-system, comprehensive approach to ensuring a just and thriving neighborhood food economy by supporting vibrant sustainable farms and gardens, healthy people, and strong community relationships.

Attend the Event

Individual tickets for our Spring Fundraiser are $40.

Buy Tickets Online ~ Purchase tickets online now and pick up your tickets at the door at will call.

Mail a Check~ Print out a registration form and mail your payment to Village Gardens, c/o Janus Youth, 707 NE Couch St, Portland OR, 97232. Tickets will be held at will call at the event.

Connect with Village Gardens Staff ~ VG staff and community leaders are currently selling tickets in person. Connect with Wasongolo, our Community Organizer, at ewasongolo@janusyouth.org to purchase tickets from a community leader.

Sponsor a Table

A Table Sponsor helps to support a successful event and fills the room with individuals interested in learning more about how Village Gardens is building a healthy, community-based food system. Your $350 table sponsorship includes 8 tickets to the event, recognition on table place cards, event program and online materials. Become a Table Sponsor online today.

Become an Event Sponsor

We are grateful for partner organizations, sponsors, funders, and volunteers who make our work possible each year. Please consider supporting the Village Gardens Spring Fundraiser by becoming an event sponsor. Download our Event Sponsorship Flyer or contact Amber Baker at abaker@janusyouth.org or contact Rosalie at 503.542.4605 or rkarp@janusyouth.org for more information. Thank you for your support!

Many Thanks to Our Current Event Sponsors!

Thanks to our partners at Columbia Distribution, Deschutes Brewery, Widmer Brewery, Casa Bruno, A to Z Wineworks, Alpenrose Dairy, Dry Soda, and Batchpdx for the generous contributions to the dinner!

Help Spread the Word. Download an Event Flyer 

Tell your friends about the Spring Fundraiser on FACEBOOK