San Fernando Valley, CA – In a charming corner of the San Fernando Valley, something beautiful takes root every April with TreePeople and Follow Your Heart Market & Café. Now in its fourth year, the Follow Your Heart Earth Month Festival and Fruit Tree Distribution is more than a celebration of the planet—it’s a living tribute to a man who dedicated his life to building a more compassionate and sustainable world. TreePeople is honored to give away free fruit trees in what has become a lovely day full of community and growth.
Paul Lewin, one of the original co-founders of Follow Your Heart Market & Café, passed away in 2021. Each year since, his family and the Follow Your Heart team have honored his memory by inviting the community he loved into the heart of the business he helped create. The fourth annual festival will take place on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Follow Your Heart Market & Café at 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303.
This year’s event honors the planet and shares a gift with the passionate people who shape the Canoga Park community. The free fruit tree distribution will be led by TreePeople, a nonprofit Paul passionately supported.
“Paul loved trees and TreePeople’s mission so we are honored to be working with them again to give away free fruit trees to our community.” – Follow Your Heart Market & Café.
TreePeople, with support from CSUN Urban Forestry volunteers, will give away 300 apricot, peach, grapefruit, avocado, and orange trees.The tree giveaway allows local families and individuals to take home one tree. No registration is required, but early attendance is recommended as trees will be given out on a first-come basis. TreePeople’s San Fernando Valley team will provide bilingual English-Spanish planting demonstrations so recipients can walk away with an understanding of how to plant and care for their newly adopted fruit tree so they can grow large and healthy.
“It’s so wonderful to see how one person’s life and legacy can help provide shade and fruit for future generations,” said Xiomara Durán, TreePeople’s Community Forestry Associate Manager (SFV). “Fruit tree giveaways are vital because so many Los Angelenos face food insecurity. Once these trees are planted, they'll give fruit and feed families, friends, and neighbors. Depending on where they're planted and how big they get, the trees can provide shade on hot Valley summer days, and increase energy efficiency of homes.”
The Earth Month Festival will also feature live music, fresh coffee, and delicious baked goods available throughout the morning. The café and market—well-loved for its innovative vegan dishes—will be open and serving up plant-based favorites from 9AM to 9PM.
New this year, the California Wildlife Center will be joining the festivities with their outreach and education van, packed with resources and interactive displays to teach attendees about local wildlife and conservation efforts.
The event is part of Follow Your Heart’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, community, and delicious plant-based living. Since its founding in 1970, Follow Your Heart has been a staple in Canoga Park and one of LA’s pioneering plant-based hubs. It was also the birthplace of Vegenaise, a beloved egg-free mayo that helped pave the way for the modern vegan food movement.
EVENT DETAILS
📅 Saturday, April 19, 2025
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Follow Your Heart Market & Café
21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303
🎶 Live music, coffee, baked goods, vegan café, local vendors, & more!
🌳 Fruit Tree Distribution by TreePeople
📅 Saturday, April 19, 2025
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Follow Your Heart Market & Café
21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303
🎶 Live music, coffee, baked goods, vegan café, local vendors, & more!
🌳 Fruit Tree Distribution by TreePeople
About Follow Your Heart Market & Café
Founded in 1970 in Canoga Park, CA, Follow Your Heart Market & Café has been a trailblazer in vegetarian and vegan food, as well as sustainable business practices. As the birthplace of Vegenaise and many other beloved plant-based products, Follow Your Heart continues to nourish people and the planet through its market, café, and community efforts. Visit theheartmarketcafe.com for more information.
Founded in 1970 in Canoga Park, CA, Follow Your Heart Market & Café has been a trailblazer in vegetarian and vegan food, as well as sustainable business practices. As the birthplace of Vegenaise and many other beloved plant-based products, Follow Your Heart continues to nourish people and the planet through its market, café, and community efforts. Visit theheartmarketcafe.com for more information.
About TreePeople
TreePeople is a nonprofit organization that inspires and supports the people of Southern California to come together to plant and care for trees and restore ecosystems and natural landscapes. With community at its core, TreePeople has been transforming urban and wild lands into greener, healthier environments since 1973. Visit treepeople.org for more information.
TreePeople is a nonprofit organization that inspires and supports the people of Southern California to come together to plant and care for trees and restore ecosystems and natural landscapes. With community at its core, TreePeople has been transforming urban and wild lands into greener, healthier environments since 1973. Visit treepeople.org for more information.
For more information, contact:
Kai McDaniel
Public Relations Specialist, TreePeople
media@treepeople.org
Kai McDaniel
Public Relations Specialist, TreePeople
media@treepeople.org
