The Nashville Food Project’s Blog
Together, their rhythm has been simple and steady. One experimenting. One anchoring. Both caring deeply about the meals that leave the kitchen.
At The Nashville Food Project, we are building the infrastructure that makes nourishment predictable and dignified. This is proactive work. It happens in kitchens designed to recover surplus and prepare consistent meals. It happens in gardens where neighbors grow food that reflects their cultures and preferences. It happens in partnerships that align farmers, clinics, agencies, and volunteers toward shared outcomes.
Through farming, she has been able to grow and share produce in ways that connect her more deeply to community. Food has opened doors. It has introduced her to people she might never have met otherwise. It has created opportunities to teach others about the importance of caring for the Earth with intention and respect.
Food, for Bianca, has always been a connector. A way to show care. A way to build community. A way to express love when words fall short. Her life has been shaped by faith, purpose, and a deep belief that what we make with our hands can change what happens in the world.
Community orchards are long-term investments. They ask us to think beyond a single growing season and consider what sustained nourishment can look like over time. Once established, this orchard will provide fresh fruit for community partners and neighbors, while also serving as a shared space for learning, connection, and stewardship.
Nourish 2025 was a powerful celebration of food, community, and connection. From a beautifully collaborative meal prepared by top chefs to stories that highlighted the heart of our mission, the evening brought people together around a shared table and a shared purpose—to nourish Nashville.
Cowboy Cookies
Makes 5-6 dozen
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 Tbl baking soda
- 1 Tbl cinnamon
- 1 Tbl baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 sticks butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 Tbl vanilla
- 3 cups chocolate chips
- 3 cups oats
- 2 cups coconut
- 2 cups pecans
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs and the vanilla and beat until well blended. Stir in the flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Add oats, nuts, chocolate chips and coconut, mix until combined. Spoon cookie mixture onto greased foil lined cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.
Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Bars
Serves 24
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups oatmeal (uncooked)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 2/3 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 cup cooked mashed sweet potato
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350. Mix flour, oatmeal, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add brown sugar and mix again. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stir until fully mixed. Mix in chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout dough. Drop onto a well-greased cookie sheet and spread into a well-greased aluminum pan. (If making cookies, flatten slightly because they don't spread much). Bake for about 30minutes. Adjust time depending on if you want a chewy or crunchy texture. (Bake for 16 minutes if making cookies.) Let cool, then cut into individual bars. (Transfer cookies using spatula)
Optional: These can be customized by adding nuts, dried fruits, or different types of chocolate.
Peach and Summer Berry Crumble
Our summer dishes are usually packed full of fresh fruit and this berry crumble is no exception. Mix and match with whatever fruits you’re craving!
Serves 50 Fruit layer: 6 quarts fresh peaches 3 quarts blackberries 3 quarts blueberries 1 cup sugar, or more if fruit is not very sweet 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tbsp cinnamon 1 tbsp almond extract (optional)
Crumble topping: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 2 cups oats 2 cups brown sugar 1/2 tbsp kosher salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
To make fruit layer, combine fruit, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, cinnamon, and almond extract, and spread into 2 full-size catering pans (approx. 10×18 size pans). Combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt in large bowl. Pour melted butter and oil over dry ingredients and mix with your hands to combine. Sprinkle topping over fruit layer and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until crumble is golden brown and bubbly.