Restorative Farms

Delivered today to CN Catering by Restorative Farms’ greenhouse manager, Jarred Lake ! What: 5 lb Green Oakleaf 5 lb Green Batavia 5 lb Red Lollo Rosa 5 lb Red Butter  4 lbs Green Gem 4 lbs Red Romaine 5 lbs Green Romaine 2 lbs Kalebration and Toscano Kale Mix While we’ve been growing and donating fresh produce to local nonprofits for some months now, today marks a major step forward for the emerging South Dallas agrisystem we envision. Thanks to the generosity of spirit of Marshall Hudes and CN Catering, we are now providing our “just-harvested,” locally grown greens from our NFT greenhouse and regional partner farms to their exceptional catering operation. Come April, we'll be harvesting 2500 heads of green per week from our amazing TAPKIT NFT greenhouse. A huge thank you to Marshall Hudes and Melissa Lopez, Director of Sales, for being true community champions—making space for us in their finely tuned business & recognizing the value of locally grown food. Yes, we are growing lush, vibrant greens in South Dallas, but we are also cultivating jobs, building economic resilience, and fueling a much-needed local agrisystem that strengthens one of our most underserved communities. Bravo, CN Catering—this is how, together, we will Grow A Better Dallas!

🌱 Growing Food is Just the First Step… Cooking It Matters Too! At Restorative Farms, we believe that growing fresh, local food is only part of the equation. Knowing how to cook it, enjoy it, and make it part of our daily routines is just as important! That's how you build real demand and help fuel an urban agrisystem. That’s why we’re excited to support, provide seedlings and help spread the word about Local Kitchen, a fantastic (and FREE!) 8-week program that teaches North Texans how to grow, cook, and eat seasonal produce. Each session focuses on a seasonal vegetable, covering: 🥕 Garden Education – Hands-on learning about growing food sustainably. 🍅 Cooking & Nutrition – Preparing a meal together while discussing its health benefits. 🥬 Take-Home Ingredients – Groceries to recreate the dish at home. Program Details: * Where: West Dallas Multipurpose Center * When: Mondays, March 31 – May 19, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM * Orientation (Required): March 26 or March 27, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM ✅ Sign up today!  👉 dal.city/LocalKitchen Questions? Call 214-670-6341 This is such a great way to help our community build confidence in the kitchen, reduce food waste, and eat healthier with fresh, local produce. Let’s grow, cook, and eat together! #LocalKitchen #GrowCookEat #FoodForAll #GrowABetterDallas

A Model for Success: The Jill Stone Community Garden In our 10 years in urban agriculture, we’ve seen it time and again—especially this time of year. The weather is perfect, enthusiasm is high, and many are eager to start a community garden. Yet, within two years, over 90% of these gardens in Dallas go dormant (yes, we have the data to prove it). Passion alone isn’t enough. A successful garden requires intentional planning, strong leadership, reliable labor, sustainable resources, and a succession strategy to ensure long-term success. Many fail simply because they underestimate the commitment. That’s why we remain deeply impressed by the Jill Stone Garden team at Temple Emanu-El. Faith-based groups looking to start a garden should spend time with their team to learn what it takes to thrive. Founded in 2012, Jill Stone hasn’t just survived—it has flourished. Amazing ! Last year alone, they grew and donated over 9,400 pounds of fresh produce to the Vickery Meadow community. Their success isn’t by chance—it’s built on strategy, dedication, and a commitment to Tikkun Olam. Their work is inspiring, and we’re proud to collaborate with such passionate, impactful growers. Take note of their mission, values, and vision for the future—this is what it takes to make a lasting difference. *************************** Jill Stone Community Garden Mission Statement Mission: The Temple Emanu-El garden is a place to engage in the ongoing task of repairing the world (Tikkun Olam) by growing food for the Vickery Meadow community. We strive to create a place of sacred encounter for a vibrant community of gardeners. Vision: Temple Emanu-El will provide an outdoor community garden space focused on organic gardening, volunteers, learning, teaching, and healthy food choices. Values: Feeding the Hungry: Providing access to fresh, organic vegetables and produce Connections: Fostering a sense of community and connection to the earth and fellow volunteers Collaboration: Engaging with community gardens, Texas Master Gardeners, and other organizations Sustainability: Using best organic gardening practices to maximize productivity and promote water conservation Education: Providing learning opportunities for volunteers of all ages, as well as for children in the Temple community Inclusivity: Creating a welcoming space for people of all abilities and backgrounds Succession Planning: Identifying, mentoring, and preparing future garden leaders.

Israeli Technology in Global Contexts and Local Partnerships: Sustainable Hydroponics at Restorative Farms, Dallas Join us as we co-host with SMU, a fascinating evening with Avner Shohet, the co-owner and CEO of Teshuva Agricultural Projects, LTD (TAP), a company revolutionizing large-scale hydroponic farming through NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) technology. Avner and his company, TAP has supported sustainable agriculture throughout the world, including our recent TAPKIT project at our South Dallas Hatcher Training Farm. As many of you know, we’re passionate about collaboration and sharing best practices. In that spirit, we’ve had the pleasure of working with Dallas synagogues, including Temple Emanu-El and Temple Shalom, as they cultivate their own urban farms, creating amazing examples for transforming their communities into hubs for nutrition, entrepreneurship, opportunity, and hunger relief. Guests will enjoy a meal featuring fresh produce grown at Restorative Farms, followed by an insightful talk from Mr. Shohet on the development and implementation of hydroponic technology. The evening will also include brief presentations from Restorative Farms representatives and Gretchen Reynolds, who leads Temple Shalom’s Justice Garden, a vital part of the greater Dallas Jewish Community. Please RSVP using the following link (fill it out once for each person attending) by March 21st: https://lnkd.in/g-j9tj3T When: March 24th | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Where: Prothro Great Hall, Perkins School of Theology on the SMU Campus

Creating a thriving local food system takes more than just skilled farmers—it requires strong partnerships that foster both a reliable market and a dependable farm supply. Sustainable farming can't exist without a steady market, and that market can't grow without a consistent source of high-quality, locally grown produce. That’s why our collaboration with Temple Shalom Dallas is so significant. By partnering with Restorative Farms, Temple Shalom is helping to bridge this gap, creating a vibrant and sustainable marketplace for South Dallas farmers while bringing nutrient-rich, locally grown food to North Dallas families. This isn’t just about moving produce—it’s about strengthening the economic foundation for urban farmers, fostering community connections, and ensuring that fresh, sustainable food is accessible to more people. This is what a resilient urban agrisystem looks like—one built on trust, shared values, and a commitment to local food security. I’m incredibly grateful for this partnership and excited to see how it continues to grow! Huge thanks to Gretchen Reynolds, Karen Stock, and David Lamden for believing in this mission and working to take the South Dallas agrisystem to the next level. (And yes, if you’re in North Dallas and want to be part of this movement, check out the CSA details below!) #UrbanAgriculture #RestorativeFarms #CommunityPartnerships #SustainableFood #FoodJustice #DallasCSA

Bridging Communities, Building a Stronger Local Food Economy Of course, this looks like a promotional piece for our 2025 Spring CSA.. and it is that ! But more importantly it’s a “CALL OUT” to show how collaborations are necessary to grow a thriving urban agrisystem. It needs more than just great farmers—it needs strong, committed partners who help create sustainable market opportunities. That’s why we’re so grateful to Temple Shalom for joining us in this mission. Their willingness to partner with Restorative Farms in a professional manner isn’t just about distributing fresh produce—it’s about strengthening the financial viability of urban farmers by bringing their expertise and incredible harvests from South Dallas to a wider, more affluent North Dallas community that can appreciate and afford amazing regeneratively grown, nutrient dense produce. By expanding access to high-quality, locally grown food, we’re not only feeding families—we’re creating a market that ensures our farmers can thrive. This partnership is proof that when communities work together, we all grow stronger. OK…and so here now is the “promotional” piece: 🥕🌿 Fresh, Local & Organic – Now in North Dallas! 🌿 Looking for farm-fresh, organic produce right in your neighborhood? Restorative Farms’ brand-new North Dallas CSA is here! Thanks to the generosity and community spirit of the wonderful folks at Temple Shalom, Restorative Farms is now able to bring our farm-fresh, organic produce to North Dallas for the Spring 2025 CSA! Their support has made it possible for more families to enjoy locally grown, nutrient-rich food while strengthening our local food system. However, space is limited, and CSA slots are filling up quickly—so don’t miss your chance to be part of this fresh and sustainable movement! Pick up your veggies at Temple Shalom and enjoy: ✨ Seasonal, organic fruits & veggies – fresh every week ✨ Support for local farmers & sustainable growing practices ✨ A deeper connection to your food & community ✨ Exclusive recipes, meal ideas & sustainability tips 💚 Give & Get: When you subscribe, you’re not just nourishing your family—you’re supporting a pay-what-you-can match for a Dallas family in need. Eat well & do good! 📦 Choose from Full Shares (Weekly) or Half Shares (Bi-Weekly) of CSA boxes & Salad Packs. 📍 Sign up today & let’s grow a healthier Dallas together! 🌱💪 #FarmFresh #DallasCSA #EatLocal #SupportFarmers #SustainableFood

🌱 Growing Connections from Albany to South Dallas! 🌱 We love to share the 7 plus years of professional urban farming experience that we’ve accrued..and so it was a pleasure to host Zach Lynn from Albany, NY’s Vegetable Project at our Hatcher Station Training Farm yesterday. Zach made the trip all the way from Albany to see firsthand how we’re building a resilient local agrisystem as well as to share his own incredible insights from years of work in garden education, regenerative agriculture, and land remediation. With an internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certificate and over 200 hours of horticulture education through the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Zach is a valuable resource. He is on his own mission to teach communities how to grow nutrient-dense food, improve our ecological footprint, and — as he says — “get the dirt underneath our fingernails.” 👐 The exchange of ideas was nothing short of inspiring. From strategies for soil health to innovative ways of engaging youth in agriculture, it’s clear that this kind of cross-pollination of knowledge is essential for the future of urban farming. 🌿 Adding partners like Zach and the Vegetable Project underscores the importance of our shared vision: creating local food resilience, economic opportunities, and a vibrant community-led food system. His work in Albany mirrors so much of what we’re striving to achieve in South Dallas. Huge thanks to Zach for making the journey — we can’t wait to see what grows from this connection! 🌱🤝 Thank you, Judi Ratner for the facilitation. #UrbanAgriculture #RegenerativeFarming #LocalFoodSystems #GardenEducation #SustainableFarming #CommunityImpact #SouthDallas #AlbanyNY #FoodResilience

Sowing the Seeds of a Stronger Food System At Restorative Farms, we’ve always believed that a resilient, equitable food system is the backbone of a thriving community. That’s why we’re honored to be part of the growing and urgent conversation around developing a Dallas/Dallas County Food Plan…a collaborative effort to ensure that fresh, healthy food is accessible, affordable, and locally grown. It is an effort that must look back at both failures and successes… consider the current needs and be visionary enough to look forward & plan for what climate change will mean for the currently $40-plus billion food system that is Dallas / Ft. Worth / Arlington and adjacent counties. This week, led by Dr. Whitney W. Strauss, Sarah Cotton Nelson and Dallas City Council member, Jaynie Schultz, we joined an incredible group of healthcare leaders, grocery executives, food advocates, local growers, and policymakers to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive plan that will address food security, economic development, and public health across the region. A food plan isn’t just about what’s on our plates—it’s about creating jobs, supporting local farmers, strengthening supply chains, and making sure every neighborhood, regardless of ZIP code, has access to fresh, nutritious food.It’s about aligning public and private efforts to build something that lasts. This work is long overdue, and we’re excited to bring our experience in urban agriculture and local food systems to the table. Together, we can grow a better, more food-secure Dallas—one that invests in its people, its land, and its future. Stay tuned as this vital effort unfolds. Let’s make it happen. Wes Jurey Todd Ichinaga Owen Lynch Benaye Wadkins Chambers Ashley Hutto Rabekha Siebert Adam Cohen Woldu Ameneshoa Christy Lara Claire Alston Lisa Attaway Susie Marshall Helen Dulac MS, CPC Hyiat El-Jundi #DallasFoodPlan #FoodSecurity #UrbanAgriculture #LocalFood #GrowABetterDallas #RestorativeFarms #CommunityCollaboration

🌱 Growing Together: Hatcher Station Training Farm Visits Ruthie’s Cafe 🧀 Yesterday, our Hatcher Station Training Farm team had the pleasure of visiting Ruthie’s Cafe, to enjoy a delicious lunch and see firsthand how our fresh, locally grown produce is now part of their menu! Located just 10 minutes from our farm, Ruthie’s Cafe is MORE than just a new restaurant, it’s a mission-driven stakeholder in the growing South Dallas agrisystem. By sourcing from Restorative Farms, Ruthie’s is strengthening the local food economy and ensuring that fresh, high-quality ingredients nourish our community. For nearly a decade, Ruthie's Fueled by Good has been a beloved food truck serving gourmet grilled cheese with heart. Now, under the Good Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit), they’ve taken the next step by opening a social-impact brick-and-mortar restaurant where all net profits are reinvested into the community. 🚀THIS IS IMPORTANT !  More than just food: Ruthie’s Cafe is committed to fresh-start employment, offering job and life skills to those from underserved communities, including individuals impacted by the justice system. Through the Ruthie’s Fellows Program, employees gain the tools they need to build a stable future. Thank you, Ashlee Kleinert for bringing this community change making entity to life. We’re honored to be part of this initiative, supplying fresh produce that fuels real change. Excited for all that’s to come… working together to Grow A Better Dallas ! #RestorativeFarms #UrbanAgriculture #SouthDallas #LocalFood #FoodJustice #CommunityImpact #SustainableFarming

Ruthie’s Cafe: A New Chapter in South Dallas – Fueled by Good, Rooted in Community Yesterday, we had the privilege of celebrating the ribbon-cutting of Ruthie’s Cafe, an inspiring new restaurant with a powerful mission. Even more exciting, we’re honored to be one of their local growers, supplying fresh produce to help fuel this community-driven initiative. Located just 10 minutes from our Hatcher Station Training Farm, Ruthie’s Cafe strengthens the growing South Dallas agrisystem and expands access to fresh, local food. A huge shoutout to Michael Gluckman, whose decades of restaurant expertise helped bring this vision to life, and to City Councilmember Adam Bazeldua (District 7) for his support in making it a reality. For nearly a decade, Ruthie’s Fueled By Good has been one of Dallas’ most beloved food trucks, serving up gourmet grilled cheese with a mission. Now, under the Good Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit), Ruthie’s has opened its first brick-and-mortar location --- just steps from St. Philip's School and Community Center, where all net profits will be reinvested to support the local community. "Ruthie’s has always been about more than just serving food," says Ashlee Kleinert, founder of Ruthie’s Fueled by Good and The Good Foundation. "Opening a social-impact brick-and-mortar restaurant is a natural extension of our mission. Partnering with other organizations to address food insecurity in South Dallas is something we deeply believe in." But the impact doesn’t stop at food. Ruthie’s Cafe is also committed to being a fresh-start employer, hiring individuals from underserved and overlooked communities, including those affected by the justice system. Through the Ruthie’s Fellows Program, employees gain valuable job and life skills, building pathways to stability and opportunity. We’re grateful to be part of this meaningful collaboration and can’t wait to see the lasting impact Ruthie’s Cafe will have on South Dallas! #FueledByGood #RuthiesCafe #SouthDallas #LocalFood #CommunityImpact #FoodJustice #UrbanAgriculture #SupportLocal #GoodFoodGoodMission