Ponte Vedra’s Trasca & Co. Eatery partnered with Atlantic Beach Urban Farms for its new menu rolling out in August to promote going green, healthier lifestyles and to support locally owned and women-run businesses.
“Ultimately, the goal is to work with local businesses and to reduce the ecological footprint for bringing in food,” Trasca co-owner, Karina Coryell said. “So, one of the things we’re implementing this August are the farm-to-table salads.”
Coryell said six new salads will be introduced to the menu, including new and improved caprese, zucchini spiral, kale buffalo chicken and tossed caesar salads, all served with greens from Atlantic Beach Urban Farms, which uses aeroponics for cleaner, fresher and more local greens.
Aeroponics is the process of growing plants without soil — in mid-air or misty environment. ABUF adds the plant nutrients needed through special purified water that contains specific vitamins that nourish a growing plant.
“We grow indoors in a climate-controlled greenhouse,” said Tracey Westbrook, owner of Atlantic Beach Urban Farms. “Because of that, we don’t have any pests and don’t have to use pesticides or herbicides on our plants. They’re 100% clean. Our plants grow in vertical towers. They’re suspended in mid-air and get oxygenated, so they’re not sitting in water all the time.”
The switch to ABUF is part of Trasca’s endeavor to become a greener, healthier eatery that not only supports other local businesses, but also differentiates itself from other eateries in the area that may not offer fresher, local or healthier options.
Trasca & Co. follows four values to help achieve its eco-friendly and healthy goals, according to Coryell. The first is following the Trasca & Co. mission statement of providing great food, service and experiences. The second is the effort of bringing in the best quality products and ingredients (hence ABUF). Trasca’s new “going-green” practices such as eliminating straws and foam containers, are the third and their healthy, pre-made take-out options for those on the go are the fourth.
“They combine flavors so perfectly,” said Madeline Warnock, a regular at Trasca & Co. stopped by to purchase her favorite on-the-go meals. Warnock recommended the “super greens and power seed” salad and “energy bites,” made with oats, flax seeds, peanut butter, honey and other healthy ingredients.
Trasca’s new menu launches Aug. 1. The eatery will host a sampling event with Atlantic Beach Urban Farms in attendance for guests to try the new salads and local greens.
“I love it,” Westbrook said. “Local, women-owned businesses just supporting each other. Karina’s really pushing for supporting all things local, including your local farmers and local beaches.”
“We’ve listened to our customers and what they’re looking for,” Coryell added. “Our mission, the “going green” changes, our healthy on-the-go meals and of course, Atlantic Beach Urban Farms — I think that all fits together.”
