Meet the Activists Bringing Urban Farms to Cleveland.
Meet the Activists Bringing Urban Farms to Cleveland.
Photo via The Guardian.
Hey guys! Instead of not posting this week, we’ve decided to take this time to educate ourselves, read, listen, and share ways the black community is thriving. I want to use this platform to share valuable and unique information.
“People of colour are constantly under attack, and not just by guns and the police, by all sorts of structural violence like corruption, food deserts, educational and health inequalities” – Amanda King, founder of Shooting Without Bullets.
As someone who writes daily on food, I want to highlight a Cleveland based organization that I found to be really incredible, Rid-All Green Partnership.
“Food is the longest relationship you will ever have, and we’re trying to help people make it a good one.”
This is a quote from Keymah Durden III, one of the founders of the Rid-All Green Partnership. I wanted to highlight an amazing organization lead by incredible black voices from a town I grew up in and have family in. They strive to change eating habits in a city where health inequalities disproportionately affect African American communities.
Rid-All’s ethos is community building through education and experience. They transformed a desolate illegal dumping ground into a lush, eight-acre agricultural innovation site with greenhouses, fishponds, and a composting facility – creating a community of pride and economic opportunities along the way.
How you can learn more.
Please take a few minutes to do a little deep dive and learn about why farming and healthy eating habits are essential to not only black-dominated communities but to all of us together.
You can learn more about the activists bringing urban farms to Cleveland by watching this video below. I personally found this video to be so inspiring. By the end, I just kept saying, “wow, this is amazing”.
You can also go to Rid-All’s website, greennghetto.org This is a collection of great information not only their organization, but on backyard farming, eating healthy, podcasts, and so much more.
And lastly, this informative article highlighting their organization on The Guardian.
Tieghan, this was uplifting. Thanks for posting about Soil Brothers. Their work to take back their health and teach others how to is inspirational.
xo
Thank you Janet xTieghan
Tieghan, thank you for what you do. Loving this post this morning.
Thank you so much Mary Ellen xTieghan
Excellent info! Thank you for sharing!
I am glad you liked it! xTieghan
The Soil Brothers are amazing! I, too, am a hometown Cleveland kid. So am always thrilled to read about people investing in their community.
I am going to give a shout out to Soul and Smoke, a gourmet BBQ and Southern crusine restaurant in my current home of Evanston, IL. Soul and Smoke found a way to make their delicious food accessible to everyone. Customers can donate the cost of a meal, or meal and snack, and Soul and Smoke cooks and delivers it to any community member in need. (People can sign up for this list.) Since March, Soul and Smoke has offered customers the ability to donate a meal to a front line health care worker. They have bundled these donations and fed entire departments at local hospitals.
The folks at Soul and Smoke represent the best of us. Finally, OMG, their food is delicious. https://soulandsmoke.com/
Wow that is such a beautiful way to give back to a community! Thank you so much for sharing them as well Susan. xTieghan
I look forward every morning to seeing your email containing a recipe or a couple of adds for some nice home appliances or decor. What I don’t understand is social commentary on a food blog. I, for one, see, hear and am forced to absorb more than I need from regular media. I appreciate your concerns and am not making lite of former or courant situations, but I need and want a little normalcy.
Hi Scot. Thank you for your feedback on this, as I really do appreciate hearing from you guys. This is the time that I personally need to take and write about. I think that we are all seeing so much of this information, but it is not a bad thing. xTieghan
Thanks. Really enjoyed the soil brothers post. Takes something special to bring about a change like that.
Thank you Diane. xTieghan
Love this!
Thank you Meredith! xTieghan
Thanks for highlighting others this week!
And thanks to Susan’s comment, I was inspire to make a donation to Soul & Smoke today so they can help feed those in need.
Wow that is so amazing and I love that you are all supporting each other and sharing ways to support the cause! Thank you Michelle. xTieghan
Check out All Square in Minneapolis: https://www.allsquarempls.com/
Thank you Jesse xTieghan
Ignore the tone deaf reply about staying in your lane. You’re doing the right thing here. Far too often people with a platform or celebrity presence are told to keep quiet and not speak out. People like Colin Kapernick. When you have an audience you should speak out. Valuing people equally regardless of their race should be normal but it’s not, and I applaud you for doing your part to highlight positive stories from the black community.
Hi Dee. Thank you for this, I completely agree. I have the ability to reach a lot of people, and I think this is an important time to do so. xTieghan
Thanks for sharing! Maybe highlight a few other cities where a lot of your readers are too? Here’s a list from Baltimore if anyone else is from the area! https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/black-owned-food-businesses-to-support-in-baltimore
Thank you Mariah. Yes, please feel free to share more information! xTieghan
Tieghan, please ignore Scot and his comment and any others like it. You’re where you are doing what you need to be doing. We all need to listen, learn, do, and change now. It’s not a time to complain about being saturated with upsetting information. This needs to be on the front burner (no pun intended).
Yes exactly. Thank you so much for you support. xTieghan
You always have such beautiful serveware and pottery. Possibly an Etsy or e-commerce resource where we can support black owned artists/ceramicists in our kitchens!
That is an amazing idea, Gina. I will start my research on that! xTieghan
Thank you for your post today.
Thank you Patricia xTieghan
Thank you fir using your platform to spread awareness! These are wonderful organizations and I shall be checking them out to donate! I hope you and your family are well, best xx
Thank you Marilyn. I hope you are doing good as well! xTieghan
Wonderful idea to do this now. These organizations deserve our support. Thanks for letting me know about it.
Thank you Stefanie xTieghan
Tieghan, I needed this today! I have spent a lot of time heartbroken and horrified at recent events brought on by decades of oppression. Your post today lifted my heart. Rid-All is an amazing and powerful group of people. Not only their products, but their goals and their strength to take that land from a dump to something quite incredible. I too live in Cleveland and had no idea this existed. Please don’t let the grumpy comments get to you. I don’t know how anyone could see this as anything but inspirational AND joyful!
Hi Karen. Thank you so much, I am really glad you enjoyed this post. I think appreciating and donating is super important right now if you are able to do so, so I just wanted to share some suggestions 😊 xTieghan
Love this, and I think it would be cool to do this kind of post weekly or monthly on your blog. It’s always great to learn about innovative or new organizations and restaurants and I bet your readers have a lot of good suggestions!
Thank you so much Jana xTieghan
Great post! I live in a suburb of Cleveland and will look into how I can contribute on the health and wellness aspect.
Thank you so much Jennifer. xTieghan
Thank you for sharing this, Tieghan. I love your recipes, but need and welcome this shift in focus and priority <3
Thank you so much Maegan xTieghan
Thank you for taking the time to highlight positive activism. It is good to light in such dark times.
Thank. you so much Lynn xTieghan
Tieghan, this post was so uplifting especially during this time. This topic is so important to learn about to help mitigate food deserts in this country! Thank you for using your platform to give these organizations/restaurants the attention they deserve. Another awesome organization is Urban Bees in Detroit, where they turn empty lots into bee colonies and educate about beekeeping. Please keep doing what you’re doing!
Thank you so much for this Kelsie. I am really glad you enjoyed learning about this xTieghan
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for taking the time to read 😊 xTieghan
I love what you are doing here Tieghan! Perhaps you could do a post that highlights/shouts out some of your favorite black bloggers? I’m not heavily immersed in the “blogging scene,” but it seems as though (at least within the most popular bloggers) blogging culture is pretty white-dominated. I know there have to be tons of amazing POC bloggers out there and I for one would love to hear more about them!
I think that is an amazing idea, Elle. Thank you so much xTieghan
Tirghan, what an amazing article to post today! An unknown treasure, doing so much for the community.
It’s a story that is inspiring, encouraging and incredibly hopeful when things are so horrifically sad in our county. Thank you, Jan (Cleveland)
Thank you so much Jan. 😊 xTieghan
Thank you for taking the opportunity to post something positive and constructive. So refreshing amidst all the “noise”.
Thank you Kim. xTieghan
Thank you so much for this post. I live in Cleveland and have never heard of this organization. It’s funny how things happen…like so many of us, I have been spending much time these last few days educating myself on what I, as a white privileged woman, can do to be more antiracist. While there are many organizations out there that are doing great work and need our support, I personally was hoping to find a group that was actively focused on positive education. The Green Ghetto speaks to my love of gardening and I love the work they are doing. Thank you for the divine intervention.
Thank you so much Karla. I am really glad you have been interested in how to do your part and I hope this post helped. 😊 xTieghan
Very excellent post. I will be sending to many others. As a people living in community and country this is a way to begin healing through food, drawing people together in a most productive way!
Thank. you so much Kimberley xTieghan
What a neat group! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Ann xTieghan
A hidden but fantastsic BBQ gem is Goodfellas BBQ in Cleveland Heights, OH. It’s a tiny, family owned shop and 100 percent delicious. The owner made free meals for hungry kids when Covid started. You have to try his ribs!
Thank you so much for sharing Katherine. That is so sweet to hear. xTieghan
Love, love the support for local black food providers/producers in urban areas. Perhaps some focus on the Minneapolis/ST. Paul area where George Floyd’s life ended. Not sure how many are open or closed for good but here is a link to the local free paper listing many of the restaurants. http://www.citypages.com/restaurants/black-owned-restaurants-in-the-twin-cities-to-support-right-now-and-always/570845531
Thank you so much Delys xTieghan
It is sad that people don’t take your gracious way of sharing info we ALL need to be reminded of. I LOVE that you were still able to make it about FOOD. You are kind and thoughtful and I enjoy everything you share with us!
Thank you so much Terry. xTieghan
There is an article in Westworld today talking about the owner’s of Tocabe restaurants in Denver – Native American – reopening and renewing their support of Native American farmers and food providers. Just wanted to share with you. You can find it here: https://www.westword.com/restaurants/tocabe-american-indian-eatery-reopens-both-denver-locations-11720038?mc_cid=df64650290&mc_eid=5fd7e38b38
Thank you so much Jane. I will check that out. xTieghan
When times are scary, Fred Rogers said to “look for the helpers,” I like how this post not only looks for the helpers, but highlights the good works being done. Thank you.
Thank you Katrin! xTieghan
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Megan. xTieghan
+ infinity to what Jana said!!! I love the idea of using food as a way to help and support people of color, and the need doesn’t stop at the end this week. Thanks so much for everything you do!!!
Thank you Mia xTieghan
Great post. Thanks, Tieghan!!
Thank you so much Linda! xTieghan
I have to agree with Scott’s post. I prefer a food blog to stay a food blog. Otherwise you are opening yourself up to some emotional issues that may not be viewed the same by everyone.
Hi Dina! Thank you for this. I created this blog to share not only my recipes, but my day to day life with you all. I think this is important information to share during this time xTieghan
Thank you, Tieghan for using your voice in this manner.
We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves. Your generation and those who come after you will have to live in the world you collectively decide to make. It has to change, We have to recognize the destructive patterns of human interactions that have brought us to this point in history and decide to do better, to treat each other better, to value each other’s unique individual’s worth. Until we truly see each other, nothing will change.
Thank you so much Nancy. I am really glad you appreciate this post xTieghan
That soil brother clip is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you Melissa! xTieghan
Thank you for using your platform to highlight Black activists, who are working towards empowering their communities. I loved it!!
Thank you so much Kenya! xTieghan
Tieghan,
Thank you so much for taking this opportunity to highlight Black-owned businesses and amplify their voices.
Thank you Gillian xTieghan
I never comment, but wanted to say thanks for not just continuing with business as usual. While I agree that I don’t want a food blog to be a political platform, I personally find it distressing during times like these when bloggers go on writing their usual content as if nothing’s happening. I applaud your decision, even if it loses you a few followers.
Thank you so much Beth. I didnt believe going with normal was right, right now. I am glad you appreciate it 😊 xTieghan
Hello. I’m on your site often and enjoy the work you do. I didn’t appreciate seeing the quote from Amanda King. There are those of us that find it offensive. I don’t want to come to a site looking for the latest recipe and hear someone’s perspective on race relations. Gun control is another controversial topic; is that next? Just like certain ingredients that don’t go together, please leave don’t mix the above.
Hi Bill! Thank you for leaving your point of view on this. My blog has been to share recipes, but also a place to share my life daily and that is what I am choosing to do. I hope you understand. xTieghan
Thank you for the support. It means a lot
Thank you Phyllis xTieghan
Thank you for having your priorities straight.
We need to build all people up with love and compassion.
If we walk past this moment- where are we going.
“With life as short as a half taken breath
Don’t plant anything but live”
Rumi
Thank you Myle. xTieghan
Thank you so much for this post – very very inspiring & what a positive message being put forth by this group. Also appreciate the information regarding similar groups – thank you, Tieghan.
Thank you Trish. xTieghan
Tieghan, I have been following you for years now, and this post just makes me love you even more. Thank you so much for using your platform for addressing these all too important issues, and highlighting some amazing companies run by POC. Please don’t listen to any of the negative comments you are getting on this post (possible bots??). Thank you for everything you do, and keep up the amazing work! 🙂
Thank you Candice! I am really glad you are enjoying this and I hope some others I post this week go well too 😊 xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
Thank you for your post today. I love your blog and recipes. I have made quite a few, and for Mother’s Day my daughters, who will be moms themselves for the first time this Fall, gave me both of your cookbooks, so I am looking forward to trying lots more of your yummy ideas! I totally support you in using this platform to broaden peoples minds!
Thanks!,
Nikki Watson
Aw Congratulations to them! That is really exciting. I hope you continue to enjoy these posts and some recipes haha. Thank you Nikki! xTieghan
Enjoyed and learned from this article. Thanks TG. Well-worth my time. Appreciate the conversation
Thank you Susan! xTieghan
Love this and love the way you are using your platform!
Thank you Erica! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, I was just looking for something different to do with my cauliflower, but really enjoyed this post and reading about and watching the Soil Brothers video. I live in Cleveland now (well Lakewood right outside) and this is such a life-affirming and inspiring organization. Thanks and don’t stop!
Thank you so much Mary!! I am really glad you enjoyed this 😊 xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
I never comment but I’m a frequent lurker, and I’d first like to say that your blog and recipes are absolutely beautiful! Your photography skills are some of the most wonderful I’ve ever seen and your recipes are always amazing. My boyfriend and I consistently make at least 3 of your recipes per week (tonight was the 20-minute orzo carbonara and it was wonderful!) and I recommend your work to everyone.
Second, thank you so much for this post. In general, it is always wonderful to see passionate people lifting up others who are passionate about the same types of things, and it is especially wonderful to see you using your platform to amplify Black voices, which are so frequently silenced and overlooked.
I know I personally find it hard to ignore negative feedback, but I hope you are able to ignore the folks on here saying that you should not make posts such as this. How on earth could we expect you to carry on as if everything was fine and ignore what is happening? It is not your responsibility to only churn out light, happy content so that others can avoid facing the realities occurring. You’re a human with emotions and compassion, and seeing those emotions come through in your blog is a powerful thing. Anyone who has a problem with you uplifting the work of powerful and creative people of color needs to take a good look at their values and priorities.
Thank you again for all that you do! I’m looking forward to making your Carne Asada tacos tomorrow night!
Hi Savannah! Thank you so much for this comment, truly. I am so happy you understand where I am coming from by pausing regular content. Also, really happy you have been loving my recipes haha. I hope you are doing well and I hope you love the tacos! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!
Thanks for using your platform to support and share something positive to what’s going on in Cleveland. I watched the video of the Soil Brothers and it was amazing!
It’s sad that some people are so closed minded on here, but it’s your blog and your voice, so let it be heard!
Stay safe and be well in these uncertain times!
Thank you so much J! xTieghan
Not related to businesses, but if you haven’t seen Ugly Delicious, it’s a great show on Netflix hosted by David Chang. Each episode centers around one dish and how that dish transcends cultures – think barbecue in Texas versus Korea versus Japan. I was particularly moved by his Fried Chicken episode, which covers a lot of ground on stereotyping.
I have not tried it, but I will check it out. Thank you for sharing, Katie! xTieghan
Tieghan- Thank you for using your platform to write this post. I was so heartened to learn about the rid-all green partnership! I immediately sent funds to them and felt GREAT about doing so. I think the only way to change our relationship to food (and we must, because we’re killing ourselves) is by seeing it grow, harvesting and prepping it. That simple act opens our eyes to the SAD that has hijacked our culture. Alice Waters said about the ESY, “give people a taste of what’s possible.” The folks at the Rid-All Green Partnership are doing that– and so are you. Thank you!
PS: huge fan. Tonight we’re having one skillet creamy sun-dried tomato chicken and orzo. Again. Because it’s just So amazing.
Aw thank you so much Elizabeth for supporting them! That makes me really happy to hear. I hope you love the sun dried tomato chicken and orzo! xTieghan
That was a very inspiring video on the “soil brothers” Thank you so so much for putting that out!
Hannah Gorman
Thank you Hannah 😊 xTieghan
Love that you highlighted this organization! – Being from Cleveland I am always proud when groups of people effect change in a neighborhood that was neglected for so long. Real change! Thank you – love everything you do – your recipes are always my go to’s! thanks for highlighting someone from your hometown also!
Thank you so much Renee! xTieghan
How incredible! Thank you so much for sharing, Tieghan! And thank you so much for dedicating your time this week to help make something good come from such an awful week in our nation’s history. Using your platform and voice this way is super powerful! And though I don’t know you personally, dare I say, I am proud of you!!
You are too kind! I am really glad you like this post! xTieghan
I so, so needed to see this post – thank you for shedding light the positive, especially in our hometown which has seen so much trouble. I like to remind myself, and my children, that the good always outweigh the bad, and our actions no matter how small can make a positive impact in someone’s life. Thank you for using your platform for part of the good. Much love to you and your family.
Thank you so much Victoria! I am really glad this post could bring you joy and I hope some others I share do as well! 😊 xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! Great and informative post, and while I echo the sentiment that I love seeing your recipes all day, every day, I know sometimes we all have things on our minds that we want to say, and we might stop what we normally do – in order to do just that. I don’t personally mind talking and discussing with people who have different opinions and view points on sensitive issues, even though some of these topics can certainly be uncomfortable. I have never learned anything new from someone who thinks exactly the same way I do, so It’s interesting to see and read everyone’s input here. I hope everyone finds something good to appreciate about your site, even if they don’t like or agree with every post, every time. Your kindness and dedication shines through, no matter what the topic of the day. Thank you for taking the time to highlight these organizations that are helping their communities to thrive.
Hi Aline! I am really glad you have been enjoying these posts and I hope you find some great things out of them! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan 🙂 loved the article. Check out this man who started gardening on the curbside. It’s inspirational <3 A guerilla gardener in South Central LA | Ron Finley
Thank you so much Nancy! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan,
I loved reading this especially since I was born in Cleveland and I have family all over Ohio. Everything they talked about in the video was something near and dear to my heart. Firstly, I’ve always been passionate about fresh food and know that is cheaper in the long run then eating fast food or buying frozen meals .. Not to mention how much better for your health it is. Knowing you can control what goes into your food. For a couple years, I helped out at a Waldorf school that had a huge garden for the kids. I spent many hours working in it along with helping the children. Each grade level got to have their own plot in the garden. They went through all the steps from start to finish to get their plot ready and maintained it. Furthermore, they got to decide what things they wanted to plant. It was amazing to see how much more you appreciate food when you grow it yourself. Many of us have no idea the involved process involved in farming We are very spoiled as we see it in the supermarket buy it and then put it on our table. Giving children the opportunity to grow their own produce was a mind opening experience for them. Believe me when I tell you it opened their eyes. No one did the work for them. If they didn’t take care of their garden plot they’d have nothing to enjoy. I wish you could have seen the celebrations we had in the garden as well. My favorite time of the year was the peach festival. It brought the community together and everyone made amazing peach dishes to share. The great part was we could pick peaches from the tress to make our delicious dishes. It was my happy place when I was there helping out. Each time I went to help, I got to take home some delicious fruits and vegetables. There is so much I could share with you about this experience. Let’s just say, i was spoiled and it was hard to go back to buying supermarket produce. I’ve got one last story for you. One day I was working to clean out the carrot bed. I’ve never been a big fan of raw carrots up until this point. I picked one to eat and seriously it was like eating candy so sweet and delicious!! Thank you for sharing this awesome organization and how they’ve been helping their community.
Hi Mike! Thank you so much for sharing this! I am sure it was really sweet to see all of the children planting their vegetables and getting to watch them grow! Such a great idea to teach! Also, I am really glad you enjoyed this post 😊 xTieghan
Ahh yes!!!! Thank you for the continued Cleveland love!! This is a great post about an amazing company, I did not know about! And I live a few blocks from the mural you posted 🙃 love your continued hometown support, I look forward to your recipes every weekend I make a more elaborate meal!
Thank you Oksana! I am really glad you enjoy my site and recipes and I hope you continue to! Always hometown support haha! xTieghan
Thank you for sharing this great article with us! Here in Atlanta, an organization ‘food alliance’ is working To eliminate food deserts.
That is really great! Thank you Dee! xTieghan
Hello, just wanting to make you aware in Firefox these
images don’t load fully.
Hi Brodie! Thank you for letting me know! I will look into it! xTieghan
This is an older story I am just wondering if is it still valid?
Hey There! Yes, the story is still valid. Thanks!
Oh wow! A whole week off to learn about racism. The fact that you think you can understand racism in just a week is everything that is wrong here. So naive. So stupid.