Food Influencer Teams Up With Real Estate Firm to Tackle Food Insecurity in Houston’s ThirdWard
The Do The Things That Matter (DT3M) campaign kicked off Fall with the launch of its Food for Thought Series aimed at bringing access to fresh foods in food desert communities by bridging real estate development, small businesses and great food together. The campaign, which is a tool to build a community of like-minded developers and investors, creates spaces and experiences that allow residents to take an active role in designing the community where they can live, work and play.
Over drinks, upscale tapas and a great soundtrack at the Savoy Ice House on Emancipation, a robust group of young professionals turned happy hour into an incubator for innovation. Discussions ranged from new business ventures to investors looking for a project with impact beyond the bottom line. Third Ward residents shared their thoughts and needs for their community and ways they could contribute, with a captive audience of real estate and nonprofit professionals grateful for the insights.
The Third Ward Real Estate Council, which administers the DT3M campaign, gives partners like My Southern Brand’s KeAndre Jordan and Broker, Jason Hyman the opportunity to connect around a shared goal. In this case, beginning to shift the mindsets of social media followers and real estate professionals toward commercial options that would bring fresh foods to Third Ward. Options for everyday enjoyment beyond the rich foods and entertainment that draws people in from across the city every weekend.
In the days leading up to the Food for Thought Happy Hour the DT3M campaign, Jason and KeAndre polled their respective audiences on what they wanted to see in the area, while also sharing information on food deserts, and showing comparisons of Third Ward with the myriad of amenities in surrounding areas. From requests for cafes to yoga studios, it was made abundantly clear there is a need for more.
Thankfully, happy hour was just the beginning. You can expect quarterly events, investment opportunities and discussions with professionals across the food industry. We’re coming together to create options that everybody can eat off of. The campaign Facebook group maintains community among interested parties from one event to the next. Once ready to take another step into development, campaign supporters have access to invest in future projects, discounts on events and educational resources to help them along the way. To stay connected, become a supporter and learn more, visit www.dt3m.com .
