1. NEWS RELEASE
10 December 2015 Contact: Chloe Sovinee-Dyroff
For Immediate Release 520-440-0100
chloe@iskashitaa.org
Iskashitaa & Borderlands Brewing Company Launch Collaborative “Harvest Tucson Date Dunkelweizen” Beer
TUCSON, AZ. – Tucson’s Iskashitaa Refugee Network (IRN) and Borderlands Brewing Co. announce the Local Date Beer Launch
Party to unveil their first collaborative brew on Thursday, December 17, 2015, starting at 6 p.m. at Borderlands Brewery (119 E.
Toole Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701). Borderlands’ “Harvest Tucson Date Dunkelweizen” features fresh Mejool Dates, harvested in Tucson
by Iskashitaa’s network of UN refugees and local volunteers. Although they are originally from Iraq, date palms are sprinkled all
around Tucson in backyards, neighborhoods, business districts, and even downtown. Without a way to be collected, this fruit often
drops to the ground and eventually goes into landfills. In partnership with Barlett Tree Experts, IRN harvested hundreds of pounds of
dates this Fall, a portion of which went to Borderlands to be brewed in their new dunkelweizen. Together, IRN and Borderlands have
teamed up to brew with locally-grown produce, to use ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, and to educate the public about
fermentation, brewing, and sustainability.
The “Harvest Tucson” Dunkelweizen will be highlighted as a part of IRN’s ongoing “Harvest Tucson” campaign, which discourages
rampant food waste from farms and backyards. For over a decade, the much-acclaimed IRN has used food-based programs to help
rebuild refugees’ lives, while alleviating food waste throughout metropolitan Tucson. Hundreds of volunteers and refugees harvest
over 50 tons of surplus produce annually, most of which is then redistributed to refugee and other food insecure families. Iskashitaa’s
network consists of people from all over Africa, Asia and the Middle; this cross-cultural knowledge allows harvesting teams to collect
over 40 unique species of fruits, vegetables, and nuts from hundreds of backyards, businesses, farms, and orchards. A small portion of
the Iskashitaa harvest is sold to restaurants who want to buy local, decrease their carbon footprint, and community integration of
refugees.
From the beginning, Borderlands Brewing Co. has incorporated fresh local ingredients into their beers, using recipes inspired by the
culinary traditions of the region. By sourcing locally, Borderlands Brewing Co. serves as a model for sustainability through their
purchases of seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients and their transformation of these ingredients into delicious beer. Borderlands
believes that a brewery should be a place for community and comradery, and supports numerous charitable efforts throughout Tucson.
The collaboration between Borderlands and Iskashitaa was a perfect opportunity to bring their missions together.
This launch party is a celebration of local food, cross-cultural understanding and conscientious integration of local ingredients into our
food system. Join us for an evening of good music, great people and delicious beer!
Harvesting Hope, Empowering Dreams
www.iskashitaa.org | facebook.iskashitaa.org
(See photos below from Date Harvests 2014-2015)
Iskashitaa & Borderlands Brewing Co. Launch Party 2016