FIELD TRIPS, FRIDAY, OCT. 4
Sign up for Field Trips here!
Participants are responsible for getting themselves to each location; transportation will not be provided. Portions of the field trips will take place outside so please dress appropriately for conditions. Closed-toe shoes are strongly advised.
8:30 a.m. – Jubilee Food Market & Urban R.E.A.P.
1505 N 15th St, Waco, TX 76707
Having lived in a lower-income North Waco neighborhood, the Dorrells had “listened to their community” for 41 years. As an empowerment-based Christian ministry founded by them, Mission Waco Mission World heard and responded to numerous needs, but the plea for help to address the food desert was frequent. In 2016, Mission Waco bought an old predatory convenient store and made plans to remodel the old grocery building into Jubilee Food Market, to bring fresh foods and affordable groceries for purchase. On November 21, 2016, the nonprofit store opened and has served hundreds. The store will celebrate its three-year anniversary in just a few weeks. Jubilee Food Market has been visited by community leaders in Austin, Houston, and Dallas as a potential model for their own food deserts.
2017 started off with the ground breaking for Urban R.E.A.P. (renewable energy and agriculture project) next door to Jubilee Food Market. Green Mountain Energy’s “Sun Club” provided a $234,000 grant for this project, and funds will also be added from donors and the Seth Dorrell Memorial Fund for economic development. The project has an aquaponics system, 36 solar panels, rainwater catchment, and a commercial composter that turns organic waste into high-quality compost in only 24-hours. In addition, there is a water purification demonstration to help participants learn how to assist people who experience a lack of clean water.
10:00 a.m. – Waco Food Hub
420 Dallas St, Waco, Texas 76704 (entrance off McKeen Street)
The food facility of the Waco Food Hub is located where Waco's original Farmer’s Market was. Its goal is to support the food ecosystem in Waco (and beyond): farmers to distributors to end consumers (including ‘foodies’ & ‘foodpreneurs’). Its staged, food-related services will include: cold storage, frozen storage, dry storage, distribution, food truck commissary, food truck secure parking, commercial prep kitchens, packaging, food incubator, gluten-free items, food research and development, mentorship, community gardens, and virtual restaurants.
11:30 a.m. – World Hunger Relief
356 Spring Lake Rd, Waco, Texas 76705
World Hunger Relief is passionate about alleviating food insecurity and malnutrition through sustainable agriculture and community development. The WHR Farm supplies organically grown food locally and has a long history in training interns to apply sustainable farming practices around the world, while also offering educational programs on sustainable agriculture, environmental responsibility, and world hunger issues.
Participants will learn about:
- The Vegetable Prescription Program
- Community Supported Agriculture;
- Challenges faced by mobile food markets like in fighting for access to fresh foods within food deserts and Waco's creative solutions
- Investing in community partnerships can help small-scale farms tackle large-scale initiatives; and
- Sustainable farming practices.
1:00 p.m. –Da' Shack Farmer's Market
925 Houston Street, Waco, Texas 76706
Da’ Shack Farmer’s Market offers organic produce, herbs, and plants. It has a nursery license and offers a large varieties of plants. Da’ Shack also has gardens on site for viewing and provides gardening education to customers.