With the support of our community, LEAP hosts a community-style fundraiser to support fresh food access and local farmers in the Roanoke region.
Local Environmental Agriculture Project (LEAP) will host its annual Garden Gala on Friday, June 12th from 6-8pm. Set against the backdrop of summer blooms and growing vegetables in LEAP’s Mountain View Community Garden, this community fundraiser supports local agriculture and food access in the Roanoke Region.
This casual, family-friendly fundraiser brings community members together to enjoy seasonal appetizers, live music, garden-themed activities, and a raffle featuring prizes from local businesses. It’s fun for all toward a great cause.
“The Garden Gala is a fun, feel-good community event,” says Kelly Key, LEAP Program Director. “It’s a chance for neighbors to connect, enjoy the garden, and directly support programs that keep our local farmers thriving and fresh food accessible to everyone.”
Since its founding in 2009 with the Grandin Village Farmers Market, LEAP has grown to additionally operate the West End Farmers Market, as well as LEAP Mobile Market, Community Store, Farm Share, Scratch Kitchen, and three Community Gardens.
LEAP’s programs help make fresh, local food more accessible to all and provide viable business opportunities for local farmers and producers.
LEAP is dedicated to nurturing local food communities, and the Garden Gala is one special way for the community to come together, celebrate local food, and support LEAP’s work. According to one LEAP market shopper, “there’s nothing not to like about LEAP. . . . LEAP’s commitment to ensuring public access to affordable and nutritious local food has yielded more benefit to and for the community than it’s possible to know.”
This year’s Gala will feature seasonal appetizers from bloom Restaurant and LEAP Scratch Kitchen, alongside a cash beer and wine bar sponsored by Crystal Springs Grocery. Attendees are invited to participate in a native plant walk with Wild Ones, enjoy professional photography services by Keely Massie Photography, and make flower boutonnieres with Thornfield Farm. The evening will be filled with the sounds of Appalachian folk music by Elsa Howell and The Blackbird Pie String Band and conclude with a raffle with gifts from over 40 local businesses. Additional event sponsors include Rainwater Management Solutions and Mast General Store.
Tickets are $15 and include a free raffle ticket—additional raffle tickets are available for purchase. The Garden Gala is open to the public and children are welcome. Learn more and find tickets at leapforlocalfood.org/events. Join LEAP in building and nurturing a thriving local food community.
About LEAP
Local Environmental Agriculture Project (LEAP) is a Roanoke-based 501c3 nonprofit. Founded in 2009, LEAP strives to nurture the local food community through equitable food and farming systems that prioritize health and abundance. LEAP supports local farmers and helps make fresh food more accessible to all.
To do this, LEAP operates local food outlets, including the West End and Grandin Village Farmers Markets, LEAP Mobile Market, LEAP Farm Share, and LEAP Community Store. LEAP additionally operates LEAP Scratch Kitchen, a food hub, three community gardens, and robust food access programs including Harvest Bucks and Southwest Produce Rx.
LEAP co-founded and continues to serve as the fiscal sponsor for Roanoke Foodshed Network, a regional partnership who work in farming, food access, and local food systems (roanokefoodshednetwork.org), and for Virginia Fresh Match, a statewide network of farmers markets and retail stores that make fruits and vegetables more affordable for SNAP participants (virginiafreshmatch.org).
Learn more about LEAP at leapforlocalfood.org or contact info@leapforlocalfood.org.
