You don’t usually expect to find farmland tucked between warehouses and city streets, but in Houston’s East Downtown, that’s exactly what you’ll find.
HOUSTON — At the heart of the Second Ward sits Finca Tres Robles, an urban farm that’s not only growing produce but also growing community.
“Small Places is a 501(c)(3). We’re a nonprofit here, just east of downtown Houston in the Second Ward. We run an urban farm called Finca Tres Robles,” said Tommy Garcia-Prats, executive director of the nonprofit behind the farm.
The produce sold at the farm’s grocery store is grown in the fields right outside.
“Okra, eggplant, some Asian cucumbers, long beans, basils, hot peppers,” Garcia-Prats listed, standing beside a vibrant display of freshly harvested goods.
The farm is about three-quarters of an acre.
“We can cultivate about 30,000 pounds of produce every year out of the fields,” he said.
While most of the fruits and vegetables are grown on-site, the stand also features eggs, dairy, and meats that are sourced from other Texas farms.
“They know that their product is going to a community and to individuals that wouldn’t normally get it,” said Garcia-Prats. “Literally, our farmer was asking what types of cuts of meat our community would like. So, then he started bringing us different types of chorizos, different types of cuts.”
Food insecurity is a growing problem and access to healthy food isn’t easy for everyone, but this urban farm is working to be part of the solution.
“One in three are food insecure. And when we started in 2014, it was one in six. So, the problem is getting worse,” Garcia-Prats explained.
“It’s important for us to be part of the solution and find ways that we can bring real value to people in our neighborhood with fresh food.”
Recognizing that cost can be a barrier, Finca Tres Robles has created a tiered pricing system to make food more accessible.
“We’ve made a commitment to have 25% and 50% discounts. So, when you walk in, you can select a card at the rate that you want to pay,” he said. “You put it in your basket, and you shop, and then we ring it up at the end, no questions asked.”
For Garcia-Prats and the team behind Finca Tres Robles, this work goes far beyond food.
“It’s more than just growing vegetables. It’s really about culture. It’s really about connection to place and taking pride in our community and our neighborhood,” he said. “And building relationships.”
And those relationships are growing stronger, one harvest at a time.
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