COMMUNITY: JUNE 10TH A BENEFIT AT BLACK HEATH MEADERY TO SUPPORT FARMERS IN PUERTO RICO

My good buddy – a longtime friend of the Cheats Movement – Brian Lopez is helping organize a special benefit at Black Heath Meadery this Sunday (June 10) to support the farmers of Puerto Rico. The event starts at 1 PM and the event will feature a special release of a Puerto Rico-inspired, toasted pineapple and coconut mead, called El Machete. Trust me, you’re not going to want to miss this. Please read the release below and see you Saturday. #WESEEIT 

Black Heath Meadery, located at 1313 Altamont Avenue in Scott’s Addition, and the Save Puerto Rico Committee, will host a benefit event on June 10th, from 1 PM to 6 PM, to support families on the island of Puerto Rico. Hosted on the same day as the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York, the Richmond-based event will bring the flavor and spirit of the island to Scott’s Addition in an effort to raise awareness and to support those impacted by Hurricane Maria. The event will feature a special release of a Puerto Rico-inspired, toasted pineapple and coconut mead, called El Machete.

“The El Machete will get you in the mood to shake what your mama gave you to some Latin vibes,” said Brian Lopez, co-organizer of this Saturday’s event, which will feature DJ Billy Crystal Fingers (2-4pm) and DJ Rattan (4-6pm).  Proceeds of mead sales will directly benefit the small community farmers in Puerto Rico. Donations will be accepted for Proyecto Agroecologico Campesino (PAC), a farming outreach and education program run by a group of farmers in Puerto Rico. PAC also works to unite small farmers, combine resources, and host numerous public workshops to further
educate the community on the necessity to of sustainable farming.

Here locally, CVSPRC is working to unite Puerto Ricans and allies stateside, to raise a voice for the people with limited voices and access on the island. “Unfortunately, 9 months after the storms, many Puerto Ricans are still in the dark,” said Steven Casanova, founder of CVSPRC. “Moreover, the island was struggling with from a 12-year economic recession before the hurricanes, which has made recovery so difficult. In order to rebuild sustainably, we need to invest in the people who feed the masses, who are most connected with the land, and help them reestablish themselves a sustainable manner.”

Merchandise will be sold at the June 10th event by the Central Virginia Save Puerto Rico Committee (CVSPRC) to help fund more awareness campaigns and direct action initiatives on behalf of Puerto Rico. “Let’s come together with some solidarity, love, and great feelings to support our friends and families of Puerto Rico,” said Casanova.