A nonprofit farm growing vegetables and flowers at the Alief Community Garden in the International District is now growing its reach — with two beautiful ways to connect with the harvest.

Choose between the Shamba Share weekly farm share program and the Saturday Farm Stand. Or, why choose? Support both! And bring a friend or neighbor to do the same. (Farm shares also make great gifts.)

All produce is grown locally and ecologically, including:

  • Seasonal flowers
  • Fresh vegetables and herbs
  • Fruit
  • Local honey

Founded in 2020 amid the pandemic, Shamba Ya Amani is a woman-led collective of more than 45 growers from across the African diaspora and beyond.

Shamba Ya Amani is Swahili for “Farm of Peace,” and brings together refugees, immigrants and long-time Houstonians to grow food, build community and work for justice by feeding their neighbors.

Now it’s the neighbors’ turn to help Shamba Ya Amani grow.

The Shamba Share is a weekly subscription-style farm share. For $45 per week, each share typically includes seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs, a recipe using items from that week’s share and — my favorite part — a hand-tied seasonal flower bouquet.

Each share is purchased individually, so participants can sign up for one week, the entire season, or anything in between. Those who sign up for four or more weeks receive a free Shamba Ya Amani insulated tote bag, a worthy incentive.

Recently, a farm share — which I was able to pick up in the Westbury area — included beets, Swiss chard, curly kale, blackberries, leeks, mint, parsley and a beautiful bouquet. The recipe included was for Fresh Beet Salad with Herbs and Feta.

The Shamba Share is offered on Tuesdays, weekly, and you can sign up for one week or all of them! (Be sure to bring a bag or box for your items.)

In addition to being able to choose which days to get the farm share without any commitments, as mentioned, there is also a choice of pickup locations:

  • Shamba Ya Amani (Alief Community Garden), 8401 Dairy View Lane, Houston, TX 77072
  • St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore Street, Houston, TX 77009
  • Westbury United Methodist Church, 5200 Willowbend Boulevard, Houston, TX 77096

For neighbors who prefer to shop at the garden and choose their own items, Shamba Ya Amani operates the farm stand every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the farm on Dairy View Lane.

It’s always peak season to support refugee and immigrant women, help sustain a local food system and bring home food that is fresh, flavorful and rooted in justice.

— Dorothy Puch Lillig