Friday, June 19th is “Juneteenth”, the date in 1865 when General Gordon Granger of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas to demand that all slaves be set free. What a momentous day in our nation’s history.
This year, we’re celebrating Juneteenth as a team for the first year ever by officially taking the day off. To be honest, it has us wondering how this holiday hasn’t become the national celebration it could be. We’re wondering why we didn’t all grow up celebrating this day as a powerful moment of profound victory in our country’s trajectory. Maybe 2020 is the year that changes.
This weekend is also Father’s Day which means that this weekend rivals only July 4th as the perfect occasion to celebrate the best in summery, all-American foods. Traditional Juneteenth foods include all forms of BBQ, but especially brisket (this is, after all, a Texan holiday of a kind!), as well as red foods and drinks of all kinds, which, according to the UTA’s Daily Texan, “symbolizes blood lost during the struggle for emancipation or the hibiscus tea that was frequently drunk by slaves during celebrations, depending on who you talk to.”
The Justice Bake Sale
Celebrating Juneteenth across L.A. on June 19th are top chefs participating in Gather For Good’s ‘Pies For Justice: A Charity Bake Sale’. While, unfortunately, there won’t be many charming bake sale experiences to be had in person as our communities remain vigilant against the spread of COVID-19, there will be pie — and plenty of it.
Pies go on sale LIVE on Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth) at 9AM and will be ready for pick up on Saturday, June 20 between 12N and 3PM. Pies are sold at donation prices on a first come, first serve basis. All proceeds will be donated to Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and The Gathering for Justice!
There are dozens of chefs and restaurants participating in the Justice Bake Sale, but here are a few we know and love:
The Rose Cafe Venice
All Time – Tyler Wells, Ashley Wells
Aliza J. Sokolow
Botanica Restaurant & Market
Huckleberry Cafe – Zoe Nathan, Laurel Almerinda
Lady & Larder
Milo & Olive – Zoe Nathan, Kelsey Brito
n/naka – Gemma Matsuyama
Plumcot Farm
Providence LA
Rockenwagner Bakery
Rustic Canyon – Andy Doubrava
Sqirl
Tartine Bakery
Valerie Echo Park
Food donors participating in the Juneteenth bake sale include
these wonderful farms and suppliers.
Look out for them at your next farmer’s market visit:
