NEW CASTLE (Nov. 9, 2022) – The annual holiday in-person sale of poinsettias grown at the greenhouse on the Department of Health and Social Services’ Herman Holloway Campus near New Castle begins Nov. 28 and runs through Dec. 22.

The greenhouse is operated by Bright Spot Urban Farm, a program operated by West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington. The Department of Health and Social Services has an agreement with West End to operate the greenhouse and gardens on the Herman Holloway Campus. Proceeds from the sale of the nearly 3,000 poinsettias grown this season will help support youth programs at West End.

Available in red, white, pink and multiple specialty colors, the 6.5-inch pots are $9.50 each or $10 for specialty colors (including Maroon, Green Envy, Marblestar, Dark Pink, Christmas Mouse, Golden Glo, Winter Rose Red, Superba Glitter, Tapestry and Viking Cinnamon). For orders of more than 25 plants, the price is $8.50 per plant. Plants in the 8-inch pots come in red, white and a mix of red and white, and cost $30 each. There is also a smaller 4.5-inch pot (table-top size) for $4.50 each. It comes in red, white, Golden Glo, Viking Cinnamon, Princettia Hot Pink and Tapestry. Gift tags are also available to purchase for $1 each.

The prices include a foil wrapping on the pot in gold, green, or red foil. Delivery is a flat fee of $9 within a 20-mile radius of the greenhouse, no matter the number of plants. Orders can be made online using the order form at brightspotfarms.org/shopholidays.

Bright Spot Urban Farm believes in the power of farming to transform people through building confidence and fostering leadership. The program provides paid training in agriculture and horticulture for high school students with the objective to heal and empower young people by rooting farming in an ethic of community service.

Students participate in one or more three-month sessions during which they learn about different aspects of production, marketing, and sales in addition to conflict resolution, problem-solving and public speaking. Students selected to continue for a second year receive leadership training and coach and mentor new students in the program.

“This is always an exciting and beautiful time of year at the DHSS greenhouse thanks to the hard work of the young people who grow and harvest flowers, plants, vegetables and poinsettias,” DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik said. “We are incredibly appreciative of this partnership with West End Neighborhood House and the impact it has on our community.”

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 Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The greenhouse will be closed on Sundays. Bright Spot accepts cash, check or credit card.

For more information, call 302-255-2993. To place orders online, go to the Bright Spot Urban Farm website.

NEW CASTLE (Nov. 23, 2021) – The annual holiday in-person sale of poinsettias grown at the greenhouse on the Department of Health and Social Services’ Herman Holloway Campus near New Castle begins Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 22.

The greenhouse is operated by Bright Spot Urban Farm, a program operated by West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington. The Department of Health and Social Services has an agreement with West End to operate the greenhouse and gardens on the Herman Holloway Campus. Proceeds from the sale of the nearly 3,500 poinsettias grown this season will help support youth programs at West End.

Available in red, white, pink and multiple specialty colors, the 6.5-inch pots are $9.50 each or $10 for specialty colors (including Viking Cinnamon, Winter Rose Dark Red, Prestige Maroon, Superba Glitter, Golden Glo, Alpha White and Hot Pink). For orders of more than 25 plants, the price is $8.50 per plant. Plants in the 8.5-inch pots come in red, white and a mix of red and white, and cost $30 each. There is also a smaller 4.5-inch pot (table-top size) for $4.50 each. It comes in red, white, Golden Glo, Cinnamon, Princettia Hot Pink, Princettia Pink and Pure White. Gift tags are also available to purchase for $1 each.

The prices include a foil wrap on the pot. Delivery is a flat fee of $9 within a 20-mile radius of the greenhouse, no matter the number of plants. Orders can be made online using the order form at brightspotfarms.org/shopholidays.

Bright Spot Urban Farm believes in the power of farming to transform people through building confidence and fostering leadership. The program provides paid training in agriculture and horticulture for high school students with the objective to heal and empower young people by rooting farming in an ethic of community service.

“Bright Spot Farms provides hands-on training for New Castle County high school-aged youth throughout the spring, summer and fall growing seasons,” said Ruth Arias, program director at Bright Spot. “Training focuses on agriculture, horticulture and landscaping. A selection of the youth participates in leadership training. The training consists of weekly classes focusing on public speaking, team-building, food insecurity, botany and other topics that will build them up to become future leaders of the program. The youth’s work has supported growing produce this year for over 110 families.”

Students participate in one or more three-month sessions during which they learn about different aspects of production, marketing, and sales in addition to conflict resolution, problem-solving and public speaking. Students selected to continue for a second year receive leadership training and coach and mentor new students in the program.

“We are grateful for the employment training and leadership program for youth that West End Neighborhood House operates on our Herman Holloway Campus,” DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik said. “And we are excited each year to support the sales of flowers, plants, vegetables and poinsettias that the young people grow and harvest. For DHSS, this is the essence of community.”

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 Nov. 29 to Dec. 22. The hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The greenhouse will be closed on Sundays. Bright Spot accepts cash, check or credit card.

For more information, call 302-255-2993. To place orders online, go to Bright’s Spot website.

-30-

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