DANBURY, CONN. — The Jane Goodall Center for Excellence in Environmental Studies (JGC) at Western Connecticut State University will host the “Dinner in a Bite” fundraiser to feast on the fruits from the university’s Permaculture Garden from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, in the Ballroom of the Campus Center on the WCSU Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. The event will raise money and awareness for the JGC Permaculture Garden Project. Tickets are $50 per person and the public is invited. Reserve a ticket at https://alumni.wcsu.edu/permaculture.

Among the farm-to-table menu items to be featured in the meal are kale, Swiss chard, mint, Jilo (Brazilian eggplant) and herbs that will be the foundation for herbal tea. Local farms also have contributed. Warrups Farm in Redding is contributing chard and garlic; Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel, two bushels of apples; Halas Farm in Danbury, greens; and Hickories Farm in Ridgefield, greens and sun chokes.

Dr. Laurie Weinstein, chair of the Jane Goodall Center, said, “Our mission in creating the garden at Western is to reconnect our community with the land. Many of our students, and the population in general, are naïve about where our food comes from and how it gets to our plates. We want our students and community to learn about healthy and humane eating. We want to give them skills that they can incorporate into their own lives.”

The vision for the garden includes many benefits to the WCSU and Danbury communities, Weinstein said. “The gardens are designed to be people-friendly places that pull folks of all ages and backgrounds together to work with each other for a common purpose.”

The JGC garden project aims to add permaculture to a variety of WCSU courses across all disciplines. Items harvested in the garden will continue to provide fresh produce and herbs to the campus cafeterias and local food pantries. Those involved have the opportunity to experience and learn about sustainability practices. In addition, tending to the garden encourages individuals to unplug from their electronic devices to reconnect with the earth.

For more information or to make a reservation, go to https://alumni.wcsu.edu/permaculture.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York.  Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.