As we start Black History Month, it is a great time to reflect on ways we can all support communities of color and especially the Black community.
When it comes to food and what you eat, you have multiple ways to patronize Black businesses. Shop at Black-owned markets, eat at Black-owned restaurants, buy food from Black-owned farms, and/or volunteer at Black-owned/operated community gardens. Turn, SweetArt, Teatopia, JuiceMasters, Saint Louis Hop Shop, and Bayou Seasoning & Catering are all Black-owned GDA establishments that you can patronize year-round.
JuiceMasters vends at Tower Grove Park during their farmer’s market every Saturday Photo Credit: Marshida B. King
In addition, there are many Black-owned and operated farms and gardens in St. Louis and the surrounding areas that you can show your support to at any time.
Here’s a short list of just a few of those farms and gardens:
Bohlen Family Farm
Bohlen Family Farm is one of few (if not the only) Black Millennial-ran farm operations in Missouri. David Bohlen operates his farm in Perryville, MO which is less than 85 miles South of St. Louis. The farm offers an array of produce that you can find used in different restaurants in the St. Louis area, including GDA-certified SweetArt.
Charleston Power Family Garden*
Charleston Power Family Garden was started in 2009 by couple Darryl Charleston and Kelsey Power. They are located in Benton Park West where they grow produce, herbs, flowers, and have ducks. You can find their products at Local Harvest and on their online store. You can also try their food at GDA-certified Seed Sprout Spoon.
Fresh Starts Community Garden
Fresh Starts Community Garden is a beacon of fresh produce located in the JeffVanderLou (JVL) neighborhood. It was founded and is ran by Rosie Willis and contains 15 garden beds where community partners help grow and maintain each one.
Heru Urban Farming & Garden*
Heru Urban Farming & Garden is located on Maffitt Ave near Union Blvd in North St. Louis and is managed by Heru Adeleke. The mission for Heru is “to provide quality organic food and herbal supply for food desert and health stricken areas within urban communities.” Through his garden, he provides numerous fruit and vegetable options including cabbage, greens, and melons. In addition, he provides training for children in the neighborhood thus cultivating a new generation of growers.
New Roots Urban Farm*
New Roots Urban Farm works towards “a sustainable local food system” thorugh a threefold mission: education, sustainability, and food security. You can find them in North St. Louis on Hogan St between N Market St and Madison St (right by Sk8 Liborius Church). They offer farm tours, volunteer opportunities, and field trips for students. Also, they have an amazing variety of produce available which they work to offer year-round.
Shire Gate Family Farm
Shire Gate Family Farm was started by Will Witherspoon, a former Linebacker for the St. Louis Rams. They are located in Owensville, MO (about 80 miles West of St. Louis). Their focus is on breeding pasture-raised/grass-fed cattle with a goal to “produce an experience for our consumers that would equal the experience our family enjoyed at the first harvest.”
*annotates Known & Grown STL farms
The Black community has a legacy of growers reaching far back into pre-American history. That legacy continues today with these farmers and gardeners and even more across the country. You may not be able to support these farms directly but you can always inform your favorite restaurant and/or shop about these farmers and their products. You can also support the restaurants that already source from them. In any capacity, you have an opportunity to feed into the economic system that keeps these farms and gardens alive.
Support your local Black farms and gardens today!
