On a recent pantry day, crates of freshly harvested greens arrived—still crisp from the soil, grown just miles away, and ready to be chosen by families shopping for the month ahead. For many clients, fresh produce like this is more than nourishment. It’s a reminder that their community cares deeply about their health, dignity, and well-being.
At Jewish Family Service of Dallas (JFS Dallas), fresh fruits and vegetables are a regular part of how we support families through our Food Pantry, made possible through strong community partnerships. One of those partners is Temple Shalom’s Justice Garden, a synagogue-based community garden where food, faith, education, and service come together.
Dedicated in December 2023, the Justice Garden grew from the vision of Temple Shalom members Gretchen Reynolds and Stuart Marcus. Designed through research, visits to community gardens, professional horticultural guidance, and Jewish values, the garden reflects a deep commitment to sustainability, education, and food justice. With support from its designation as a USDA People’s Garden and partnerships with organizations such as the North Texas Food Bank and Dallas Health and Human Services, the garden has grown from its original 56 beds into a vibrant space that now includes an 80-bed farm, education garden, outdoor classroom, beehives, orchard, and more.
Produce is planted based on seasonality and community need. Fall and winter harvests focus on leafy greens such as lettuce, kale, spinach, mustard greens, tatsoi, bok choy, and chard, along with herbs and root vegetables like carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes. This approach helps ensure that families, including those shopping in the JFS Dallas Food Pantry, have access to fresh, nutritious produce that supports healthy meals at home.
The garden is sustained by a dedicated group of volunteers. A core team of about 25 volunteers from Temple Shalom and the broader community care for the garden during weekly workdays, with additional support from religious school students, families, and community groups throughout the year. Depending on the season, the Justice Garden harvests once to twice per week and regularly donates fresh produce to community partners, including JFS Dallas. Over the past year, the garden has donated more than 3,000 pounds of fresh produce, helping increase access to nutritious food for families across our community.
Beyond food, the Justice Garden also serves as a space for learning and community connection, welcoming students, families, and community members into hands-on educational experiences throughout the year.
Before the garden was built, Gretchen Reynolds encountered a question that continues to guide the work: “How will you use your landscape to change the landscape around you?” Today, the Justice Garden stands as Temple Shalom’s answer—a living expression of education, ecology, wellness, and food justice in action.
Jewish Family Service of Dallas is deeply grateful to Temple Shalom and the Justice Garden volunteers for their generosity and partnership in helping nourish our community.
