Olivewood Gardens Hosts Seedling Soirée Fundraiser

Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center held its annual Seedling Soirée in National City on May 30, billing the event as a fundraiser for its garden-based education and wellness programs. The nonprofit said the evening ran from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at its campus on N Avenue and was built around a “Forage & Feast” format with local chefs, drink purveyors, live music and auction fundraising. Olivewood said the event supports programs serving National City through food, health and environmental education. KPBS also carried an event listing for the fundraiser, including ticket and event information. ### What was the Seedling Soirée raising money for? Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center said the Seedling Soirée supports its education and wellness work in National City. On the event page, the organization described the fundraiser as backing “garden-based education and wellness programs” and framed the night around community health and connection. KPBS described Olivewood as a National City nonprofit focused on food, health and environmental education. (olivewoodgardens.org) A separate event listing said Olivewood has run hands-on garden and nutrition programs since 2010, aimed at helping youth and families make healthier and more sustainable choices. ### What did attendees get at the event? The May 30 event was scheduled as a four-hour evening gathering in Olivewood’s gardens. (olivewoodgardens.org) Olivewood said guests would take part in a “Forage & Feast experience” featuring local chefs, craft drink purveyors, live music and a live auction. A San Diego Reader listing set the ticket price at $250 and marked the event as 21 and older. Another event posting described a spring-garden setting and said the fundraiser would bring together chefs, mixologists, brewers and winemakers tied to San Diego’s food and beverage scene. (kpbs.org) ### Which chefs and partners were named? Olivewood’s event page listed a roster of chefs and drink partners for the 2026 fundraiser. (olivewoodgardens.org) The named chefs included Adrian Villanueva of Tahona SD, Andy Weiss of The Smoking Gun, Christina Ng of Berry Good Food Foundation with the Garden 2 Kitchen Interns, Cindy Quinonez of Parada Del Mar, Helena Qin of Our Collective Foods, Jiomar Diaz of Chaya Global Fusion Cuisine and Kevin Templeton of barleymash & Spill the Beans. (sandiegoreader.com) The same page also named Lety Gonzalez of Bruja Cocina, Manny Da Luz and Charlie Knowles of bica, Nina and Tony Fuentes of Nina’s Baking Corner, Olivewood Kitchenistas, Paulina Marquez of Galu Café, Robin Ross of Cupcakes Squared and Sandra Orozco of Rancho Sabor. Drink purveyors listed by Olivewood included Above Board, Belching Beaver, Bivouac Ciderworks, Boochcraft, Hasta Mañana Cantina featuring Rejon Tequila, Oddish Wine and Snake Oil Cocktail Co. (olivewoodgardens.org) ### How does the fundraiser fit into Olivewood’s broader work? Olivewood’s public materials tie the fundraiser to a wider set of community programs. The organization’s event pages say donor support contributes to garden and nutrition education, job-skills training, leadership development, community building, food access and food advocacy. Since 2010, according to event materials carried by third-party listings, Olivewood has presented itself as a nonprofit using gardens and kitchens as teaching spaces for youth and families in and around National City. (olivewoodgardens.org) The organization’s upcoming-events page lists classes and community programs alongside the annual fundraiser. (givebutter.com) ### Where can people still find details or get involved? KPBS’ event page continued to host the listing for the May 30 fundraiser as of late May, and Olivewood’s own event page included ticketing, sponsorship and donation options. Olivewood also posted a sponsorship packet for the 2026 event and a broader calendar of future classes and gatherings on its website. (discover.events.com) Olivewood’s next public-facing step is on its events calendar, where the nonprofit says visitors can find classes, workshops and future gatherings at its National City campus, 2525 N Avenue. The organization’s Seedling Soirée page also says donations remain open for people who could not attend the May 30 event. (olivewoodgardens.org) (kpbs.org)