Essence Restaurant Group Associate Farm-Garden
Our team from Bistro and The Green Well has pulled together to learn more about sustainable farming by digging in, planting, tending and harvesting our own chemical-free produce. Everything has been grown sustainably (without toxic chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides) from heirloom seeds. Heirloom seeds are very special seeds that have been passed on generation to generation with many grown as many as 100 years ago, and are never used in large-scale agriculture. Right now we are harvesting many varieties of heirloom tomatoes and vegetables like beans, patty pan squash, crook-neck squash, lemon cucumbers, chard, kale and basil. Soon we'll have heirloom baby carrots, tomatillos, okra, watermelon, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and beets.
While the Farm Garden has been a learning experience for all Essence associates who have volunteered their time, it has also turned into a labor of love. "The pride our staff has in the produce from our farm-garden is like nothing I’ve ever seen at Bistro before," said Jill Norris, restaurant manager. "We've learned that sustainable farming is very hard work! But it pays off when we harvest our vegetables and feature them at the restaurants in our daily specials. It's truly amazing... we’ve had the opportunity to try our hand at sustainable farming."
What makes us Green?
We do our best to practice and promote sustainability wherever and whenever we can. We recycle all our waste: paper, cardboard plastic, glass, and grease, netting one tenth that of a typical restaurant. We use dye-free paper products and limit their use. We print all our promotional materials on 100% PCW content paper. We also were the first farm-to-plate restaurant in West Michigan, now celebrating an 11-year partnership with Ingraberg Farms in Rockford. Sustainable Farming is our cornerstone: We only purchase from farmers who farm the land sustainably to ensure its use for generations to come. Take an inside look below at how we bring food from the farm to your plate!
Essence Restaurant Group Farm to Plate