'Taste of North Berkeley' – Benefit for School Gardens & Cooking Programs

More than 20 businesses in Berkeley's "Gourmet Ghetto" will offer samples of food and beverages on Tuesday in benefit for the garden and cooking programs at Berkeley public schools.

Tickets are $30 for the "Taste of North Berkeley" event, which runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

"Stroll, sip and taste at Gourmet Ghetto eateries, shops and galleries and help keep school gardens alive!" says a notice on GOURMETghetto.org, a project of the North Shattuck Association. "All proceeds benefit the Berkeley Unified School District Garden and Cooking Program."

The Berkeley Unified School District says the garden and cooking program has been reduced by a loss of federal funding and is asking for community support.

"While the Cooking and Gardening Program (CGP) has become an integral part of many schools, the significant loss of federal funding for health and nutrition programs has resulted in a scaled-back program this year," according to the district's "A+ news" newsletter.

"Fundraising efforts are underway to support a sustainable cooking and gardening program in all of our schools. We encourage you to come out to the Taste of North Berkeley on November 12th, co-sponsored by the North Berkeley Shattuck Association. All proceeds will go to CGP with the generous support from Gourmet Ghetto eateries, shops, and galleries." 

Tickets can be purchased online and at the following businesses:

• ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave.
• M. Lowe & Co., 1519 Shattuck Ave.