At Coastal Roots Farm, Everyone is Farm-ily

Story by Miriam Gershenson; Photos by Albert Kreimerman

ENCINITAS, California  – Coastal Roots Farm offers a unique and immersive Farm-to-Table dinner experience that transcends the simple act of dining. Here, guests are not just partaking in a meal; they are embracing a celebration of community, sustainability, and Jewish values that nourish both body and soul.

 

The essence of the Farm to Table dinner at Coastal Roots Farm lies in its dedication to fresh, seasonal, and locally grown produce. Every dish served is a testament to the hard work of the farm’s dedicated staff and volunteers. From vibrant heirloom tomatoes and crisp greens to fragrant herbs and succulent root vegetables, each ingredient is harvested at its peak, ensuring maximum flavor and nutrition.

Local chefs, often renowned for their culinary expertise and commitment to sustainable practices, transform these farm-fresh ingredients into masterpieces. The multi-course meals are not only a feast for the palate but also a visual delight, reflecting the vibrant colors and textures of the farm’s bounty.

I was fortunate enough to experience this dinner when chef Christina Ng was preparing the menu. Her vision to present the season’s crops were incredibly well paired. Her menu started with handmade kelp sourdough with local olive oil and vinegar, revival einkorn crackers with eggplant caponata and white bean dip, and a garlic tahini kale salad with cucumbers and crispy chickpeas. We were blown away by the flavors and freshness of produce that were picked earlier that same day.

Our main course consisted of white sea bass with green tomato relish, roasted potatoes in dill plant based labneh, and grilled summer squash. At this point, we were bursting at the seams from the amount of food and the inability to stop eating because it was so good. However, no dinner is complete without dessert which in our case was ricotta einkorn pound cake with strawberries. Many went on to look for seconds- Albert and I were among those people.

I did have a chance to have a quick word with Chef Ng and I learned that she is very involved in garden and culinary education. She also teaches how to cook in various schools. She is involved with organizations that support local and regenerative food systems in San Diego and northern Baja and advocates for access to healthy foods for all. Another fun fact that I learned about Chef Ng is that she can be hired to do private cooking in your home. If this is something you are interested in learning more about, please reach out to her directly at Christina@berrygoodfood.org.

The setting for these dinners is as enchanting as the food itself. Long communal tables are set up under the open sky, often adorned with simple yet elegant decorations that echo the natural beauty of the surroundings. Guests dine al fresco, with the farm’s fields and gardens as their backdrop, fostering a sense of connection to the land and to each other.

These dinners are more than just meals; they are communal experiences. Conversations flow as freely as the wine, with guests sharing stories, laughter, and a mutual appreciation for the food and the environment. It’s an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with nature and community. It felt like family and on this night, I learned that Coastal Roots Farm calls it “Farm-ily” which I feel is the perfect description. This is an experience that I highly recommend everyone try.

I’ll note that the dinners are limited May-September. There are only two more dinners left this year and they cap the guest list to 60 people. I highly encourage anyone interested to reserve their spot ASAP because they do sell out quickly! Learn more about the dinners and how to reserve a spot by clicking here.

Coastal Roots Farm is more than a place of agricultural production; it is a living embodiment of Jewish values. The farm operates under the guiding principles of Jewish agricultural and environmental ethics, drawing inspiration from ancient traditions and teachings.

These traditions include:

–Adam V’Adamah (human and earth/soil): An interdependence between people and the land. This is why the farm prides itself in regenerative agriculture, fighting climate change, treating animals humanely, and practicing gratitude for food.

–Tikkun Olam (fixing the world): Coastal Roots Farm shares the bounty in their pay-what-you-can farm stand so that everyone has the ability to access fresh healthy foods regardless of their background or financial standing.

–Arvut (mutual responsibility): Taking the Jewish value that states that Jews are responsible for one another, the farm takes it a step further to include all people and not just Jews.

—Peleh (wonder): The inspiration for education. Through wonder, they inspire and encourage further learning.

—Kodesh (holy): The farm separates the ordinary week from Shabbat and the holidays. Using the Jewish calendar to create opportunities for events and learning.

One can see that these values are put into practice and the impact it is making through real results. The farm grows over 80,000 pounds of food per year and over 70% of this food is donated. They have more than 10,000 students who benefit from the education the farm provides. Over 50% of those kids come via scholarship so that everyone has an equal chance to learn and experience. They welcome over 2,000 locals from different faiths and backgrounds to their community events. To learn more about the impact and communities served, click here.

Another thing to note about the farm is that summertime is its highest impact time of the year. Coastal Roots Farm is non-profit and each year, it still needs to raise the funds to meet the community needs. While various events such as the Farm to Table Dinner do help in getting to their financial goal, Coastal Roots Farm still needs help. The farm is trying to raise $200,000 by the end of September. To make a donation or to learn where the funds will go, click here.

I had the opportunity to speak with Kesha Dorsey who is the Director of Philanthropy, Impact Strategy, and Communications. The passion with which she spoke was an inspiration in itself. This passion can be seen and felt when she said, “As someone who has worked at Coastal Roots Farm for six (of its nine) years, I have been honored to witness firsthand the incredible growth in our impact, Jewish identity, community, and organization. These Farm-to-Table dinners are a response to the community members who have shared their desire for more opportunities to enjoy the regeneratively-grown, organic food we produce, engage in our work, and support our mission. Summer is our peak season, during which we make the greatest impact, and we are deeply grateful for the community’s support through donations and participation in events like this, which make our work possible.”

This leads me to share the calendar of events at the farm. If you want to learn more about other community events at the farm, please click here.

I absolutely need to mention Javier Guerrero, President and CEO of the farm. Guerrero, with a background in cultural anthropology and nonprofit development, was an unconventional but ideal choice to lead Coastal Roots Farm, as it transitioned to an independent nonprofit in 2015.

Under his leadership, the farm’s educational programs expanded significantly, doubling the number of visiting children and engaging local school districts. Guerrero embraced Jewish agricultural traditions and values, integrating them into the farm’s mission of sustainability and community support.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the farm doubled its food production to meet increased demand and maintained community engagement through innovative programs. Coastal Roots Farm continues to practice regenerative agriculture, emphasizing food justice, environmental education, and Jewish life, while Guerrero and his family have deeply connected with the farm’s Jewish community and traditions. You can learn more about him here.

Coastal Roots Farm and the Farm-to-Table dinner experience at Coastal Roots Farm is a celebration of food, community, and Jewish values. It is a testament to the power of sustainable agriculture, the importance of communal dining, and the enduring relevance of Jewish teachings. For those fortunate enough to attend the dinner or any of the other community events, will experience a nourishment for the body, mind, and spirit, leaving a lasting impression of the profound connections between food, people, and the land.

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Miriam Gershenson is a freelance writer based in Escondido.