The little farm stand that could

If you need something special for your next party, or a unique gift, I highly recommend dropping by the Common Grounds farm stand. 

It just opened for the season on the front porch of Thies Mortgage at 119 Huntley Place off Providence Road in Myers Park. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays only through September. 

Ted Boyd (photo below) of Charlotte Center City Partners is Common Grounds new board chair.

The small stand is very popular, so get there early for the best selection of its weekly offerings of produce, flowers and herbs grown in the Charlotte area. The stand also has great artisan prepared foods including cheeses, dressings, slice and bake rolls, BBQ sauces and honey. The photo below is of volunteers Lisa Gardner and Paige Waugh with some of the stand's gorgeous flowers.

Here’s the most delicious part: The stand is run entirely by volunteers and all the proceeds go to help the homeless through the Urban Ministry Center. In the past four years, the volunteers have raised an astounding $175,000 for the cause. Now that's what I cause using greens to raise some green. 

For a complete list of the stand’s offerings, a recipe of the week and more details, go to www.commongroundsfarmstand.org.

Follow Olivia on Twitter @oliviafortson