Patchogue, NY - August 10, 2016 - HomeGrown Change, along with the Greater Patchogue Foundation, hosted Island to Table, an exclusive dinner prepared by talented local chefs to highlight the bounty of Long Island, on Sunday, July 31 resulting in $8,000 to support local community gardening and sustainability projects.
Island to Table included a cocktail hour and a six-course, sit-down meal incorporating ingredients from Long Island’s many farms and fisheries and created by Patchogue chefs Jim Klein from Perabell Food Bar; Richard Lanza from Ristegio’s; Lauren Lombardi from Lombardi’s on the Bay; Hirbin Manzanares from South Ocean Grill and Elmer Rubio from Chachama Grill.
St. Joseph’s College and Suffolk Community College students and faculty served the courses to diners and Roast Coffee& Tea Trading Company donated and served the coffee and tea in branded coffee mugs for the event. The live music was provided by Joey and Trish Acoustic. Sponsors of Island to Table included DiCarlo Food Service, Island Outreach Foundation, Cool Air Designs Inc. and media sponsor GreaterPatchogue.com.
“Island to Table was a true community effort. The list of businesses who contributed product and the number of people who donated their time, money and talents has humbled me to no end,” said Eva Rodriguez-Greguski, founder of HomeGrown Change. “This was our first major fundraiser and I am so grateful for how much money was raised for the worthwhile projects we have planned for the community. Our neighborhoods will benefit from the generosity of many.”
In August 2015, HomeGrown Change, an all-volunteer organization, was established to teach gardening and sustainability to schools and intergenerational community groups. Since its inception, HomeGrown Change has developed a year-long program for the United Way's YouthBuild Program which includes bi-weekly classes for 18- to 25-year-old students that teach traditional and hydroponic methods, and incorporate nutrition and healthy-living. HomeGrown Change donated plants and seeds to the Bellport Community Garden where its board members monitor the crops and teach nutrition using the harvested produce. The money raised from Island to Table will support the transformation of Medford Elementary School’s existing concrete and brick courtyard into a children's learning garden and create a pollinator and native plant garden with young adults at the new Carnegie Library, both in Patchogue.
For more information about HomeGrown Change, its future events or to get involved with the organization, email Eva Rodriguez-Greguski here.
About HomeGrown Change
HomeGrown Change is a nonprofit organization dedicated to working with Long Island schools and community groups to provide high-quality educational experiences and growing food and native plants using organic and sustainable methods.