Faheem Carter's Bayview Black Organic Farmers Program Deliciously Partners With Flour + Water Hospitality Group

Talk about a perfect partnership made in fresh, culinary heaven! For the month of February, the Flour + Water Hospitality Group has partnered with the Florence Fang Community Farm to utilize kale from their Bayview Black Organic Farmers Program by SF native and horticulture trailblazer Faheem Carter for their limited-time pasta dishes. 100% of the profits from this special offering goes to support Faheem Farmer's diligent efforts towards sustainability and empowering greater food justice for at-risk or marginalized communities.

For a second consecutive year, members from the beloved local hospitality group has also volunteered on-site at the Florence Fang Community Farm, working hands-on to better facilitate understanding of their ingredient sourcing and care through insightful conversations between Co-Chef Ryan Pollnow and Faheem Carter. The culmination of such personalized edification can be seen in Flour + Water's resulting Kale and Toma cappelletti with green garlic, preserved lemon, and local wild flowers and herbs, as well as in Penny Roma's Kale strozzapreti with broccoli, garlic, and creamy burrata. While this dish may only last until the end of February, the honorable work Faheem Farmer contributes goes well beyond this Black History Month.

View this post on Instagram

Since the late 1980's, the Florence Fang Community Farm has been a persevering haven for community engagement that extends past just gardening. This one-acre farm is home to a diverse array of cross-cultural and intergenerational relationships, fostering solidarity through the benevolent act of proper gardening to then benefit and feed local seniors, families, and other neglected groups.

Within this farm is the Bayview Black Organic Farmers Program, brilliantly founded by Faheem Carter. An exceptional horticulture graduate and longtime resident of San Francisco, leading his successful program comes very near and dear to his heart. We had the phenomenal opportunity to chat with Faheem and discuss just how much his farm means towards further uplifting the city's land, cultural identity, and nutritional future.

Hello Faheem, thank you for taking the time to talk! Starting off, how did your interest in gardening begin? Did growing up in San Francisco influence you?

My interest in gardening began when I was very young. Being born & raised in San Francisco, I was able to explore the extraordinary parks in the city. Being that San Francisco is known for its beautiful gardens and parks, I found myself drawn to escape in places like Golden Gate park, the botanical gardens, the conservatory and so many others. As I got more interested in learning more about gardening, I started to buy books on how to cultivate plants.

First I started in my mom’s backyard. When that got to crowded then I moved to my friend’s backyard. I soon realized I needed more space. It all started for me because I didn’t see many healthy food options at my local neighborhood grocery store. I was growing carrots, lettuce, lemons, strawberries, tomatoes right in my own backyard. I was so happy to see my family eat the things I was able to grow.

View this post on Instagram

How has it been seeing the Bayview Black Farmers Program evolve, especially through Covid and other 2020 happenings? What are some of your most rewarding moments?

It has been incredibly rewarding to see the Bayview Black Farmers Program grow and evolve over the past few years. We’ve been able to provide access to fresh & healthy food to our local community, and it has been amazing to see how many people have been able to benefit from our work.

During 2020, we were especially proud to be able to provide fresh produce to the community, even during the pandemic. One of the most rewarding moments was when we were able to donate fresh produce to a local food pantry, so that people in need could have access to healthy food. It was an incredible feeling to be able to give back to the community in such a meaningful way.

View this post on Instagram

What is the significance of food justice, rehabilitating land, and empowering through education on nutritional health to the Black cultural identity, and to at-risk or neglected communities?

Food justice, rehabilitating land, and empowering through education on nutritional health are all important to the Black cultural identity and to at-risk or neglected communities. Access to healthy, affordable food should be accesible to everyone no matter their economic status. However, we see far to often that is not the case, especially for communities of color. By providing access to healthy food, we can help to reduce health disparities in these communities, while also providing a way for people to become self-sufficient and empowered.

Additionally, by rehabilitating land, we can create green spaces that can be used for growing food, and this is especially important for communities that lack access to fresh produce. Finally, by providing education on nutritional health, we can help to ensure that everyone has access to the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health.

View this post on Instagram

Thank you Faheem, and we can't wait to see what's next for your farm!

You can read more about the Bayview Black Farmers Program here, and about the Florence Fang Community Farm here. Be sure to try the Flour + Water Hospitality Group's ingenious utilization of his fresh produce before February ends, though you can certainly visit the farm any time!

Here's to the dynamic duo's strong collaboration again next year!

See also: SF Bay Area Black-Owned Businesses To Know And Support