Urban-farm grown heirloom tomatoes ready for market.

Traverse City resident and urban farmer, Jill Kiteley, is telling people to “Eat at MANA’s” – that’s because her delicious heirloom varieties are now being used at the restaurant to make their heirloom BLTs this week, served with chips and a pickle.

Kiteley, who established her urban farm, Dream Acres on a third of an acre earlier this spring, is a great example of how local urban farmers can succeed in local markets.

Kiteley’s tomatoes are also being used in various dishes at the Towne Plaza Cafe downtown, and Kiteley hopes to broaden to other markets, including those without a profit-center.

The woman who now calls herself the “tomato peddler” opened her property to a neighbor in need of space for a small garden, and believes the best way to preserve a way of life that encourages local farms, requires a willingness to share knowledge and reach out to others.

Kudos to Traverse City’s tomato peddler who set out to start her own business, trading her lawn for food, and who serves as a fine example for others in the community interested in establishing their own back-yard farms.

To reach Jill and schedule a visit of Dream Acres Urban Farm, please call (231) 651-0340