Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’
Oct. 8, 2024
What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.
The Urban Harvest’s Farmers Market Program supports real, fresh food and the hardworking people who grow it. The market is more than just a place to shop, it’s a gathering place where friends and families meet up each at Urban Harvest, kids grow up knowing where their food comes from, and new friendships are forged.
What is your mission? The mission of Urban Harvest is to be a catalyst in transforming food accessibility in Greater Houston. Urban Harvest aims to achieve this by fostering strong partnerships with local farmers and gardeners, operating vibrant Farmers Markets, initiating mobile markets, and providing comprehensive garden education.
What is your vision? Their vision is not just to improve, but to transform the way communities engage with and access fresh, locally sourced food. Through these efforts, Urban Harvest aspires to set a national example, showcasing how innovative community collaboration can lead to sustainable change in food systems across the country.
How have you impacted the community?
In 2023 -
• Urban Harvest Farmers Market brought together over 100 local farmers, ranchers, gardeners and food artisans to sell their products directly to Houstonians
• Urban Harvest Farmers Market hosted over 45,000 shoppers
• Urban Harvest matched $25,000 in Double Up Food Bucks, allowing those who use SNAP/EBT to get $1 in fresh fruits and veggies for each $1 spent, up to $40 daily
• Approximately 45% of Urban Harvest vendors identified as social minorities and Urban Harvest continue to strive to grow the Farmers Market diversity. In addition, 50% of shoppers identify as a BIPOC.
Tell us about your big event. Urban Harvest invites Houstonians to break bread during their 30th Anniversary Sunday Supper hosted at St. John’s School on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. The evening will be a celebration of local food, culinary excellence and the communities Urban Harvest serves. Thirteen of Houston’s most esteemed chefs will lend their unique talents during a multi-course, family-style meal created in partnership with local ranchers and farmers. Proceeds from this unforgettable farm-to-table experience will benefit the programs of Urban Harvest: Farmers Markets, Community Gardens, Youth Education, Food Access, and Gardening Classes.
What are you most proud of? Every year the small but mighty organization serves over 45,000 farmers market patrons and over 100 small food business; nearly 5,000 students and teachers in socially vulnerable Areas; 3,823 community gardeners preserving over 34 acres of greenspace; over 2,000 Mobile Market customers, 78% of which are in underserved neighborhoods; and educates over 900 individuals who participate in year-round organic gardening classes.
Keep Reading
Show less
Kendall and Susan Plank, Noel Wise, Anna Osborn, Michelle Koskie
MORE THAN 140 lovely ladies showed up at Tootsies to shop, sip and celebrate Dec My Room, the local nonprofit responsible for personalizing and decorating hospital rooms for pediatric and young-adult patients.
Dec My Room founders, mother-daughter duo Susan and Kendall Plank, and event chairs Jennifer Cope and Marie Flanigan mingled with the "galentines" two days before V-Day. After early-morning browsing of pop-ups and trunk shows at Tootsies, the well-heeled crowd strutted over to PostScript HTX, awash in pink, as always.
Here, the ladies sat down for a beautiful luncheon. At each seat, guests found a butterfly, which was raised during the "paddles-up" portion of the day. Together with an exciting raffle, the event raised nearly $120,000 for Dec My Room.
Ally Shell and Nora Jarrard
Carson Sherman, Rebecca Thomas, Lauren Gray
Tori Kuykendall, Stacey Lindseth
Charlotte Martingano, Anna Osborne
Michelle Froehlich, Diane Nolen, Denise Tinkham, Fenche Shen
Cherie Lindley, Abby Vanegas
Melissa Sugulas, Estella Cockrell, Rebecca Thomas, Melissa Juneau , Traci Young
Donae Chramosta and Donna Lewis
Marie Flanigan and Jennifer Cope
Elizabeth Abraham , Sydney Goss, Laura Thompson
Kelli Tumey, Noel Wise
Elysa Nelson, Claire Jackson, Sylvie Kampshoff
Christina Green, Whitney Kuhn Lawson
From Your Site Articles
- Clay Walker Headlines Holiday Bash and Grand Re-Opening for Iconic Jewelry Store ›
- Fun Crowd Gathers at Neiman Marcus To Kick Off Fall’s Chic Italy Event ›
- Neiman Marcus and Dec My Room Bring Holiday Cheer to Children Spending the Season in the Hospital ›
- Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen and 'Dec My Room' Supporters Kick Up their Boots for Kids ›
Related Articles Around the Web
Keep Reading
Show less
After Multiple James Beard Nods, Cambodian-Inspired EaDo Bakery Plans Expansion to The Quad
Feb. 18, 2025
Salted Coconut Latik Ice Cream Sandwich at Lil' Koffeteria
THERE'S SOME INTERESTING news coming out of The Quad at Britmoore, the adaptive, mixed-use development fashioned of repurposed industrial warehouses in Spring Branch near Memorial.
The Houston-based developers, Pagewood and Wile Interests, have announced that Lil’ Koffeteria will be among the eateries.
“We’re thrilled to add locally owned Lil’ Koffeteria to our office community who will serve fresh and local eats and build upon the energy we’ve created at our campus,” said Randolph Wile, President of Wile Interests.
For its part, Lil’ Koffeteria is a bit of a phenom. With its original location east of Downtown, its risen to considerable acclaim for its Cambodian-inspired café and bakery goods. “Led by chef-owner Vanarin Kuch, who recently landed a second James Beard award nomination in the Outstanding Bakery category, Lil’ Koffeteria will serve a variety of their award-winning pastries, kolaches and tacos,” said a rep for The Quad.
In addition to the Beard accolades, The New York Times recently cited Lil’ Koffeteria as of the 22 best bakeries in the country now.
The new outpost is expected to open in the spring.
Vanarin Kuch (photo by Niel Burger)
Ham and Cheese Croissants
Chocolate Cake Croissant
Crab Rangoon Croissant
Thai Om Croissantwich
Keep Reading
Show less