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Forbes

A New Way To Experience Flavors From Around The World In Houston

Plant It Forward Urban Farms in Houston Texas Houston might be best known for oil, space exploration, and sprawling highways but tucked away among its urban landscape lies a quietly revolutionary idea: turning refugees into urban farmers. Plant It Forward (PIF), a Houston-based nonprofit, is not only changing lives for refugees but also creating experiences that curious travelers—and conscious consumers—are starting to seek out. Farming Roots PIF partners with resettled refugees from countries such as Congo, Liberia, Sudan, and Myanmar. The organization helps them transform underutilized urban land into half-acre farms bursting with crops like Thai basil, African eggplant, lemongrass, and jute leaves (known locally as molokhia or Egyptian spinach). Plant It Forward Houston African Eggplant from a PIF farmer These small farms are far from hobby gardens; they're entrepreneurial ventures. PIF provides agricultural training, business mentorship, and connections to lucrative markets like farmers' markets and CSA subscriptions to high-profile Houston restaurants. 'Our farmers focus on growing food that benefits health and well-being, but they're also enhancing the vibrant culture Houston is known for,' says Nirjhor Rahman, CEO of Plant It Forward. Plant It Forward From Farm to Michelin-Noticed Table For food-driven travelers, Houston's dynamic restaurant scene is reason enough to visit and PIF is quickly becoming part of the story. Some of Houston's popular restaurants source ingredients from PIF's farmers, bringing hyper-local, global flavors to the plate. Places like JŪN featuring new age American foods, Nancy's Hustle a modern bistro and cocktail bar, Craft Pita a Lebanese restaurant whose owner Rafael Nasr serves on the PIF board, and Local Foods that employs a local community based approach to their food. PIF and Craft Pita Event Mami Wishart Houston 'We love sourcing from Plant It Forward because they have a unique variety of offerings that other local farmers don't,' says Nasr. 'Supporting an organization that empowers refugees to be entrepreneurs is what being part of the local Houston community is all about.' This isn't just farm-to-table, it's farm-to-table with an inspiring narrative driven by the farmers. Diners might discover new ingredients like Laotian coriander or French sorrel while supporting sustainable, socially responsible agriculture. One of PIF Farmers with her produce at Craft Pita Mami Wishart Houston A New Kind of Travel Experience And for travelers looking to go beyond typical tourist trails, PIF offers unique experiences like guided farm tours led by refugee farmers, volunteer days where visitors help plant, harvest, or prepare produce, seasonal chef-led meals showcasing farm-fresh ingredients, and connections to top restaurants featuring their produce. Depending on the season, visitors might sample sunchokes in winter, French sorrel in spring, or molokhia (a type of leafy green vegetable) in summer. For many refugees, farming is also deeply personal—a way to heal from past traumas and build a new future. Volunteering or visiting isn't simply agritourism, it also facilitates cultural exchange and community connection. Beyond culinary appeal, PIF is tackling serious business and social challenges. Several of their farms operate in Houston's food deserts, bringing fresh produce to communities that need it most. Meanwhile, refugee farmers gain not just income, but confidence, community ties, and the chance to become entrepreneurs. One success story is that of Van Thawng, a PIF program graduate who has launched his own farm business and now offers catering services that combine fresh produce with the flavors of his native Myanmar. He grows classic Burmese vegetables like shikakai, green wax flower and a curry leaf that he uses to make a Burmese dish called Burmese Shwe Taung Noodle bowl. He also sells these vegetables to markets in New York, Chicago and Minneapolis for the local Burmese communities. Businesssolver 2-day event with PIF Plant It Forward Beyond the local consumer and traveler, the business world is also taking notice. Companies like Businessolver bring employees to volunteer on the farms as part of corporate social responsibility programs. 'Partnering with organizations like Plant It Forward brings our purpose to life,' says Jon Shanahan, President & CEO of Businessolver. 'It's a unique opportunity to build empathy and create meaningful community impact.' Why It Matters—for Houston and for Travelers For Houston, PIF is more than a nonprofit. It acts as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and pride in a city known for its ethnic diversity. And for travelers, it's a chance to explore a different side of the city through food, culture, and human connection. Rahman suggests contacting them directly through their website to plan your own experience. 'An urban farm might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a Houston trip but for those looking for meaningful and educational experiences, it is well worth the visit', he adds.