Here in Tucson, the Iskashitaa Refugee Network creates opportunities to integrate UN refugees into the Southern Arizona community. This is all while educating the public, strengthening the local food system, reducing local food waste, and increasing food security.
From 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, which is also Arizona Gives Day, Iskashitaa Refugee Network is teaming up with Chef Devon Sanner of Zio Peppe and the Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT) for a Citrus Celebration Gala.
This fundraising gala will include a silent auction, a refugee art show, storytelling by refugees, live music by Cynthia Hilts, and an assortment of gourmet hors d’oeuvres, desserts, as well as drinks, wine, and specialty cocktails.
If you’re not immediately searching for how to buy tickets after reading that last sentence then maybe you need to read it once more! Tickets to the dinner/gala are $100 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Throughout the dinner, Chef Sanner will be using produce harvested by the Iskashitaa Refugee Network.
Citrus Celebration Gala Menu
- Tomato Jam and Hand-pulled Mozzarella Bruschetta
- Prosciutto Wrapped Dates with Honey + Chamomile Goat Cheese, Toasted Marcona Almonds
- Grapefruit & Tequila Cured Gravlax, English Cucumber, Dill Crème Fraîche
- Seville Orange Marinated Achiote Pork Tostaditas with Pickled Red Onion
- Duck Rillettes, Focaccia, Candied Kumquat
- Chilled Basil and Pea Soup with Prickly Pear and Lemon Crema
- Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado, Chile, and Lime
- Three Sisters Salad – Tepary Beans, Grilled Corn, Roasted Squash, Nopalitos, Guajillo Chile and Tangerine Vinaigrette
- Sweet Bites
- Lemon Curd Tartlets
- Mandarin, Lavender, and Honey Posset Parfait
- Orange Cream Profiteroles
More About Iskashitaa Refugee Network
Harvesting
Iskashitaa volunteers harvest from residential trees, community and urban gardens, and the beautiful Tucson desert collecting useable produce that would have otherwise gone to waste.
Food Preservation
Based on what is harvested and the community donations they receive, the network makes food products that are then sold in their online shop.
Refugee Garden Art Program
Every Wednesday volunteers and U.N. refugees come together as a community to garden, practice language, create art projects, and share culture.
Food Donation
Produce that the Iskashitaa Refugee Network harvests, along with food donations from community partners, is given to refugees weekly to increase food security among refugees in the Tucson community.
The Citrus Celebration Gala is from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 (Arizona Gives Day). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
