The new owners say they will be able to offer more options to Urban Acres customers.

Jan. 16, 2016

Urban Acres, the once locally owned food co-op in Dallas that specializes in local and organic food, is under new ownership. Last month, the store announced that Austin-based Farmhouse Delivery had purchased the business that has been bringing farm fresh produce to city dwellers in DFW since 2009. 

Indications that Urban Acres was struggling appeared last August when the business closed its Oak Cliff storefront, only a year and a half after opening. The renovated site had been remodeled with funds in part from a Kickstarter campaign that raised nearly $40,000. 

In a release and according to a statement in The Dallas Morning News, former Urban Acres owner Steven Bailey said that many organic sustainability markets recently struggled in Dallas. 

Former Urban Acres owner Steven Baily, celebrity farmer Joel Salatan and Steven Schenck from Dallas City Councilman's Scott Griggs office at the ribbon cutting for Urban Acres Farmstead in 2014.

“We were hoping to be one of the few who could weather the storm, but after many hard discussions the wisest thing for us to try to do is close down our brick and motor location. We are truly sorry to be closing the doors to the farmstead,” he said.  

The new owners offer assurances that they will continue to provide Texas-grown meat, poultry, dairy, vegetables, fruit, cheeses, jams, and other artisan-made items. 

According to Farmhouse Delivery co-owner Stephanie Scherzer, deliveries are made to 18 drop-off Dallas area sites for about 1,200 members in Addison, Arlington, Colleyville, Fort Worth, Frisco, Lakewood, Lake Highlands, McKinney, Midtown, Oak Cliff, Park Cities, Plano, and Southlake.

“We have just begun home deliveries in the Dallas area and are slowly adding new ZIP codes.”

Scherzer and co-owner Andy Schooner work with the same organic-minded farmers as did Urban Acres.

“We’re committed to Texas farmers, and everything is 100 percent Texas grown. If we haven’t heard of a farmer, we want them to contact us,” Scherzer says.  

Farmhouse Delivery covers the Dallas, Houston and San Antonio areas and just recently acquired Greenling, a similar Austin/San Antonio entity, with a focus on freshly prepared meals. 

“Our mission is to build a strong local food community by connecting families with farmers, ranchers and artisans, and we are passionate about the local food business,” Scherzer boasts.  “We are sort of like a local farmers’ market that gets delivered to your door.”  

She adds that Farmhouse Delivery is subscription based and tries to work in a thriving local food system, while inspiring people by providing recipes that produce delicious, fresh food.  

The big difference between Urban Acres and Farmhouse Delivery is that Farmhouse Delivery has more offerings and a wider selection. They work with local meat, dairy and poultry producers, as well as local bakeries, cheese makers, jam makers, etc. and, of course, the inclusion of delivering premium products to your doorstep is an important factor.  

A one-time $20 fee to set up your deliveries is required. Large bushels are $39 or smaller medium bushels are $27, and you can set your delivery schedule for weekly or bi-weekly.  Members are invited to special events and learning opportunities like cooking classes, farm visits, and recipes at www.farmhousedelivery.com.  

A community supported agriculture (CSA) business differs from Farmhouse Delivery in that it doesn’t offer variety, flexibility and convenience. Also, Farmhouse Delivery doesn’t require upfront payment for the season, and you can skip a delivery or alter your schedule. You pay only for the deliveries you receive. By letting Farmhouse Delivery know which fruits and vegetables best satisfy your needs, you can customize each delivery.  

Scherzer comments that she is excited to be in the Dallas market.  

“I grew up in North Dallas and attended Ursuline Academy of Dallas, so I feel right at home.”

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