How we got here...

I began in this industry at the age of 16, working in local restaurants through high school. Upon graduating, I pursued a career in Culinary Arts by getting dual degrees in Culinary Arts and Culinary Nutrition from Johnson and Wales University. Since leaving college, I have worked as an Executive Chef in just about every avenue of the foodservice industry. Restaurants, Resorts, Corporate Dining, Private Chef, Food Truck, and my wife and I even owned our own event catering business. But things change. Our family was expanding, we were working the industry hours that are counterproductive to building a successful family. And one of the hardest decisions we had ever made, had to be made. Do we stay on this track? Where are we hoping to go? Would owning a large, highly successful catering business allow us the life we really wanted? No. So we shut it down. Now what? Where and how do I exercise the God given talents that I have? I have always had a passion for food, simple foods, recognizable food, and food dishes that could be pronounced by most of those in my circle of friends and family. And what was their take on food? Nowadays, more often than not, America's take on food is, well, take out. We, as a country, have lost our ability to cook. We exist on fast and fast casual dining options. Can we do better? The church I belong to has a mission statement, "To Transform the Community one person at a time, one family at a time, and one block at a time." So how can my talents be transplanted into that mission statement? Being a stone's throw from the DC line, I realized that the selection of fresh food options in District Heights, Maryland is severely limited. In fact there are more takeout spots than any other type of business. That's it! Let's transform the food choices in our community! Let's educate and try to stifle the continued loss of food education in our generation. And let's do it on a platform based in the community. Enter Urban Farming. We are endeavoring to do this with little money, relatively little experience, and few resources. However we are a dedicated team that have been known to make things happen regardless of the outward appearance. Come with us on the journey and spread the word. Welcome to City Pickers Urban Farm and Market. Much more to come, and we'll be posting much of the goings on that have happened up to this point. Much thanks and love! KD