Sotheby’s Auction House, that purveyor of all things rare and fine, will soon dabble in something a little more pedestrian: vegetables.

But these aren’t your average garden greens. On the auction block are mixed crates filled with veggies such as Turkish Orange Eggplant, Lady Godiva Squash and Pink Banana Pumpkin. Rare, indeed. The asking price: $1,000 a crate.

The auction is part of a Sotheby’s benefit featuring heirloom vegetables—vintage varieties that aren’t commonly grown by the mass-produced agriculture of today. The Sept. 23 benefit, titled “The Art of Farming,” is the first of its kind by Sotheby’s and is being held in the auction house’s Manhattan showroom,

Yes, the proceeds benefit charity:

Proceeds from the event will go to GrowNYC New Farmers Development Project, an initiative helping immigrants to become farmers, and to the Sylvia Center, a program that teaches children to eat well.

And guess what?  The idea is that of Mr. Brent Ridge, one half of the duo of The Fabulous Beekman Boys.  If you haven’t seen the show yet, I highly recommend the goat birthing episode.  It will bring legit tears to your eyes.

So, looks like hell yes – sort of ridiculous – but then again, charitable and (egads) sorta fun.  Shoot.  Me.

(the amount of tags for this entry = mucho)