Credit: Quianah Upton
ATLANTA — An Atlanta initiative to decolonize the local food system is getting closer to its goal thanks to a stellar opening week of public investment and conversation. Nourish Botanica has successfully raised almost 100 percent of its crowdfunding target in eight weeks, with more than $50,000 in donations towards a $60,000 goal, and over 5,000 shares on social media.
The brainchild of Nourish in Black founder Quianah Upton, Nourish Botanica envisions becoming Atlanta’s first black-owned greenhouse and eatery that will serve the community by providing space for healing through art, fresh food, and botanicals grown on-site. The organization will use food as medicine, serving the community delicious bites and herbal remedies, and creating a space for sustainable green entertainment.
Upton is an Atlanta-based Caribbean native and Southern food justice advocate, artist, creative entrepreneur, and community planner. She has firsthand experience with food injustice, having spent part of her childhood in a food-insecure South Florida neighborhood. Growing up in this environment, Upton found her voice through art. This passion led her to launch an art and retail business, which evolved into a food justice based event series, #ChopItUpATL, now known as Nourish In Black. After eight years of testing the market, Upton, with partner Jerome Kendrick of ThinkTable, is thrilled to be finally opening her own space.
Credit: Quianah Upton
Credit: Quianah Upton
“Artful healing through nourishment is central to every event we’ve ever created,” says Upton. “Already with Nourish In Black, we’ve orchestrated beautiful, healing, dialogue-based gatherings. We hope to continue this work with a permanent home at Nourish Botanica, where we’ll honor storytelling, art, and cultural foodways.”
A BLACK-OWNED HEALTH AND WELLNESS SPACE IN SOUTH ATLANTA:
In partnership with ThinkTable and several local farmers, Nourish Botanica will serve Caribbean and Southern deli-style vegan offerings. Additionally, the greenhouse will operate as a nursery selling plants, flowers, and herbs as well as offering gardening services. The greenhouse and eatery will be utilized for public and private event space. Nourish Botanica aims to be an example of sustainable green entertaining and gathering that supports the local food, art, and agriculture ecosystem. Here’s where information about making donations should go. Nourish Botanica hopes to raise $60,000 in its first round of crowdfunding, which will cover down payment to purchase land. Additional funding will be needed to further develop the greenhouse and purchase kitchen equipment. Upton is seeking the support of corporate and community sponsors who can help Nourish Botanica raise funds, offer land reparations, and match existing funding raised.
To learn more about this initiative to contribute to the fundraising effort, visit link: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/black-woman-owned-greenhouse-amp-cafe/
You can read more about this beautiful vision, and meet the Visionary, Quianah Upton:
