A Garden Dinner to Remember
by Jenna Hamann

“Jenna, would you like to garden in the desert, be a part of a supportive community, meet the greatest people at the Farmers’ Market, and live in an area with some of the most diverse scenery you have ever seen? If so, the Youth Garden Project (YGP) in Moab, Utah is for you! It will be a learning experience of a lifetime that you, in no way shape or form, will regret!”

Okay okay, the above statement is not exactly verbatim from my interview. However, that does not make it any less true with regards to my time here! My time working as a garden intern with the Youth Garden Project has been a blast, and I am extremely impressed by how welcoming the Moab community has been to me, my colleagues, and this organization. Besides the Weed n’ Feeds and Farmers’ Markets,   another clear example of what I am talking about was displayed just last week at the YGP’s Garden Dinner.

The Garden Dinner had it all. With sparkling lights, draped decorative tablecloths, fancy flowers, and smiling faces throughout the garden, it was definitely an affair to remember! Even the garden crew got snazzyied up for the event and served as waiters and waitresses for the occasion! Lots of time went into preparing for this event and, if you were there, I think that you would agree that it paid off!

The food was prepared with flair by a Moab community member Kaye Davis, of whom, we are so grateful. Her dedication, time, and superb talent in preparing the delectable five-course dinner really displayed her support for this wonderful organization. Served throughout the duration of the night was baked polenta, ciabatta bread topped with basil pesto spread, beet carpaccio, summer panzanella salad, and vanilla chocolate chunk ice cream for dessert.  Everything was simply delightful! The food really was nothing less than brilliant and, for me personally, I thought that it was great that she was able to use so much of our produce for the dinner.

Paradox Pizza, Paradox Produce Company, Early Morning Orchards, and McClish Family Dairy were only some of the many local businesses that helped in making the night a success! In addition to supporting the Youth Garden Project, individuals from both inside and outside the community came in support of local food.  It was huge to see so many people come out for this spectacular event, but then again, I would not expect anything less from the Moab community!

Originally from Minnesota, Jenna Hamann is currently working as a summer intern at the Youth Garden Project. To learn more about being an intern at YGP, click here.