A local bakery is helping to raise money for the LGBTQ+ community

MINNEAPOLIS— An award-winning youth-run business is celebrating Pride month by selling its vegetable-based desserts to support LGBTQ youth in their community.

They set up shop at Mill City Farmer’s Market, where they used their products to make a difference.

“These are vegan options, and these are gluten-free,” Ariana said. “Those are East African donuts.”

It’s a busy day for the youth of Green Garden Bakery. For these young entrepreneurs, it’s more than just a business: it’s an act of social change.

In honor of pride month, they are selling homemade pop tarts. Money to help young LGBTQ members in the community.

“A pop tarts. A rhubarb pop tarts. The members of our community who are LGBTQ, we’re working on an emergency fund,” Ariana said.

“I think it’s important to embrace our young LGBTQ youth because a lot of people don’t feel comfortable telling their parents that they are part of that group of that community and the parents, like some people, being homophobic and not being so supportive. The fact that we are supporting the people and providing emergency funds is good,” Zariah said.

Green Garden Bakery has a line of healthy, vegetable-based desserts sold online at Farmer’s Markets and pop-up sales in the Twin Cities.

“Giving back and showing people that we know how to run a business,” Ariana said.

The money earned is divided into three. One-third of the profits are reinvested into the company, another third is used to compensate youth leaders, and the final third is donated to a community in need of youth.

This month the focus is on LGBTQ youth.

“We do community activities that we enjoy to celebrate the identities of people we donate to,” Zariah says.

Green Garden Bakery is located in North Minneapolis, in the Heritage Park neighborhood. All vegetables are grown in their garden, in the middle of the community.

“I like it because it’s like we’re helping people and people can have hope, you know,” Zariah said.