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Announcements:

        _  Hope's Gardens was set back when the Sept 21, 2009 flood waters came
             flowing into our gardens and greenhouse.  The greenhouse structure still
            stands, although we lost everything within it's walls. With the help of friends
            and volunteers we are getting through this event. Organizations, such as:
            the Peachtree Road Farmers Market, Whole Foods, Slow Foods, Georgia
            Organics and many individuals gave time, muscle, and financial assistance.
            We can't tell you how much we appreciate all of you. THANK YOU!!!!!

         _ Hope's Gardens Pesto can now be found on the menu at Murphy's Restaurant  in Virginia Highland's.
               Please see what Chef Tom Harvey is creating with our Basil Pesto.

         -     Please check out the newly updated
                Recipes Section with Pictures and New Recipes

-    Our newest flavor –
               SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

-             Look for Hope’s Gardens at the
      following Farmers Markets Spring 2010:

Ø                PEACHTREE ROAD FARMERS MARKET
                       every Saturday 8:30 am to noon
Ø                DECATUR FARMERS MARKET
         every Wednesday 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Ø                MARIETTA SQUARE FARMERS MARKET
        every Saturday  8:30 am to noon
8    DUNWOODY SPRUILL GREEN MARKET
             every Wednesday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

-     “Buckhead Family Turns Pesto into a Thriving Family Business”–
See John Kessler’s article that recently appeared in the Atlanta Journal – Constitution - http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/stories//2008/10/04/hopes_garden_pesto.html

-         Souper Jenny now features Hope’s Gardens Basil, Jalapeno and Sun-dried Tomato Pesto on her soups and sandwiches - http://www.souperjennyatl.com/

-         Savage Pizza now features Hope’s Gardens Basil Pesto on their pizzas - http://www.savagepizza.com/

How It All Began:

For years, we have cultivated a garden and shared the harvest with family and friends. Fresh, homemade sweet basil pesto was one of our signature creations. We were frequently encouraged to find a way to market our pesto, but nothing ever materialized. In the spring of 2007, we were invited to participate in a local farmers’ market – primarily to sell Leslie’s handmade greeting cards (www.anzixcollections.com). The interest for locally grown, sustainable produce was high. So, the next week we brought vegetables from the garden and soon introduced our pesto.

Hope’s Gardens was formed over the summer of 2007, named after our daughter Hope. Virtually every weekend that year was spent at the Farmers’ Market and a loyal pesto following developed. Our pesto is currently available through many Atlanta retailers, and an on-line CSA; with plans for additional distribution soon. Several Atlanta restaurants have recently begun featuring Hope's Gardens pesto on their menus. We are also working to develop new offerings. In the process, we are having more fun than we ever thought possible and meeting many great folks along the way. Please stay tuned… Leslie, Dave and Hope Lennox

How It Is Today:

We can still be found just about every Saturday from April - December at the Peachtree Road Farmers' Market. The Market continues to grow and offer fabulous fresh produce, breads and baked goods, fresh pasta, flowers, honeys and too much to mention!

We have made great strides renovating the greenhouse, growing basil, making pesto and delivering personal food tastings in as many stores as possible. Hope's Gardens Jalapeno Pesto was launched last year to rave reviews. In August 2009, we introduced our third flavor - Sun-dried Tomato, our first nut-free pesto. We are a regular offering at Souper Jenny's in Buckhead, Savage Pizza in Little Five Points and in their new Avondale Estates location, and at Le Petit Marche in Kirkwood. We have added a "Recipes" page to our website and recently published a pesto cookbook to expand your uses of our fresh basil pesto. We are grateful for everyone who has purchased our product and passed on the good word to others - Thank You! Leslie, Dave and Hope Lennox