Seed to Plate: The Seasonal Journey of River Queen Greens
By Keenan Goldsmith, General Manager
From fertile soil to your plate, River Queen Greens brings vibrant, seasonally grown produce to Dakar NOLA. Their care, craft, and commitment to community help shape every dish we serve.
Photo courtesy of River Queen Greens
Cultivating Community
At Dakar NOLA, our menu begins long before a dish reaches the table. It starts in the soil, in the deliberate work of growers who share our commitment to quality, sustainability, and community. One of those partners is River Queen Greens, a beloved New Orleans farm whose greens and herbs have become an integral part of our seasonal offerings.
Founded in 2017 by Cheryl Nunes and Annie Moore, River Queen Greens grew out of a shared love for good food, community, and a deep respect for the land. Cheryl began farming in 2009 in Brooklyn, NY, and was immediately drawn to growing food for her community. Annie brought experience managing social enterprises in Boston. Together they moved to New Orleans, inspired by the city’s vibrant culinary culture, and launched River Queen Greens on a small urban farm in the Bywater. Two years later, they expanded to their permanent location in Lower Coast Algiers on the West Bank of the Mississippi River.
Today Cheryl and Annie tend a rich patchwork of salad greens, cooking greens, herbs, root vegetables, and edible flowers. Each harvest reflects both the rhythms of the seasons and their dedication to thoughtful cultivation.
Photo courtesy of River Queen Greens
Philosophy and Growing Practices
"Healthy soil grows vibrant food, and vibrant food nourishes communities," says Cheryl Nunes of River Queen Greens.
River Queen Greens is a Certified Naturally Grown farm. Their practices go beyond organic standards to prioritize soil health and environmental sustainability. They never use chemical fertilizers or pesticides, relying instead on compost and organic nutrients. Farm managers and crew are trained in food safety practices, ensuring that every product is handled with care and integrity.
Farming in New Orleans comes with challenges. Unpredictable weather patterns and shifting growing seasons demand constant creativity and resilience. River Queen Greens meets these demands with care and intention, adjusting practices to ensure the land thrives year after year.
Photo courtesy of River Queen Greens
Equity, Access, and Community Impact
Beyond producing exceptional vegetables, River Queen Greens is committed to creating a more equitable and just food system. Their initiatives include:
Accepting SNAP payments for farm shares and participating in Market Match to make fresh produce affordable.
Donating surplus harvests to local organizations supporting low-income communities.
Offering land access and educational opportunities for BIPOC, queer, and female growers.
Donating 10 percent of net profits to organizations supporting Black farmers such as the Federation of Southern Cooperatives.
The farm’s 88-acre property on the former Stanton Plantation represents a commitment to stewardship, preservation, and reparative action. Cheryl and Annie use their resources to create opportunities and address structural disparities in the region.
Photo courtesy of River Queen Greens
Farm Share and Community Engagement
River Queen Greens sells primarily to home cooks and local chefs through their Farm Share subscription program and farmers markets. Farm Share members receive weekly selections of fresh seasonal vegetables including salad greens, cooking greens, root vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. The farm also partners with other local producers to provide supplemental items like eggs, honey, and seasonal fruit.
For Cheryl and Annie, the best part of the work is seeing the joy their produce brings. Customers are consistently delighted by the quality, beauty, and flavor of each harvest, knowing each vegetable has been nurtured with care.
Photo credit: Jeremy Tauriac
Our Partnership
Our collaboration with River Queen Greens is rooted in shared values. The greens they grow, crisp, tender, and full of character, bring brightness and texture to our menu. Each leaf tells the story of a farm that prioritizes flavor, integrity, sustainability, and community impact over volume.
By sourcing directly from them, we are not just supporting a local farm. We are investing in a food system that honors the land, its history, and the people who care for it. River Queen Greens is more than a supplier. They are neighbors, stewards, and partners in creating a more sustainable and just food system in New Orleans.
As our seasonal menus evolve, their harvest continues to shape the soul of what we serve.
Learn more about River Queen Greens here.