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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: December 1, 2017
DHSS-12-2017

HOLIDAY POINSETTIA SALE TO RUN DEC. 4-22 AT GREENHOUSE ON DHSS' HERMAN HOLLOWAY CAMPUS

NEW CASTLE (Dec. 1, 2017) - The annual holiday sale of poinsettias grown at the greenhouse on the Department of Health and Social Services' Herman Holloway Campus near New Castle will begin Dec. 4 and run through Dec. 22.

The greenhouse is operated by Bright Spot Urban Farm and proceeds from the sale of the 1,450 poinsettias grown this season will help support young people aging out of foster care and former clients of the Delaware Psychiatric Center. Bright Spot Farms was founded by West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington.

Available in red, white, pink and multiple specialty colors, the 6.5-inch pots are $9 each or $9.50 for specialty colors (Maroon, Ice Punch, Marble Star, Luv U Hot Pink and Gold Rush). For orders of more than 25 plants, the price is $8 for each plant. The larger plants in the 10-inch pots come in red, white and a mix of red and white and cost $30 each. The price includes a choice of the foil wrap on the pot (gold, red or green) and a plastic sleeve. Delivery is a flat fee of $7 in New Castle County, no matter the number of plants, and is slightly more in Kent or Sussex counties.

"Buying from Bright Spot Farms helps us to provide a hands-on teaching environment for our trainees," said Sindhu Siva, program director at Bright Spot Farms. "We can't provide a meaningful work training experience for our youth without a business, and we can't run a business without the support of our customers. Our customers' purchases from us are an investment in the futures of the young adults in our community."

The Bright Spot Farms program includes up to nine months of training with an emphasis on soft skills such as punctuality, conflict resolution, a strong work ethic and on business-related job and financial skills such as using a cash register and maintaining inventory. The program also teaches horticultural skills through a curriculum developed by program staff and approved by the Delaware Nursery & Landscape Association. As part of the program, youth have the opportunity to obtain a food handlers' certificate issued by Delaware's Department of Agriculture.

The greenhouse is on the Herman Holloway Campus, 1901 N. DuPont Highway (U.S. 13) and is open to the public. Follow the signs for the greenhouse. The greenhouse will be open for walk-in sales Dec. 4-22. The hours are noon-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays. The greenhouse will be closed on Sundays. Bright Spot accepts cash, check or credit card.

Orders can be made online using the order form at Bright Spot's website or by emailing brighstpotventures@gmail.com. For more information, call (302) 255-2993.

NOTE TO THE MEDIA:

A video about this year's sale can be found at https://youtu.be/y2IGIBdrQ6s
Photos of this year's poinsettias are available to be downloaded at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/deldhss/albums/72157687906655592

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

HOLIDAY POINSETTIA SALE TO RUN DEC. 4-22 AT GREENHOUSE ON DHSS' HERMAN HOLLOWAY CAMPUS

Delaware's Government