Bittersweet Symphony Mission Microgreen Mix

First Delivery Date

May 9 2025 (actual delivery date based on availability)

Last Delivery Date

Jun 27 2025

Farm Fresh Hope Collab

Dylan Alexander - Chef at Jonathan's Restaurant, Harveys Lake, PA

Charity

Friends of the Poor Scranton, Scranton, PA

All About Chef Dylan

About a year or so ago, Luke met Chef Dylan when he stopped into a restaurant in Scranton with a few samples of microgreens. Dylan was happy with our products, so we made a few deliveries... then found out he left the restaurant. Not everyone gets excited about microgreens, but Dylan seemed to be, so we were sad to see him go and kept in touch every once in a while, just to say hi and check in to see if he needed anything.

Some time passed, then out of the blue one evening, my son texted us from the "dish pit" at Jonathan's Restaurant, to let us know the new Chef, Dylan, said he knew us.  Small world, huh?!  Right around the same time, I'd sent out a newsletter and asked our readers to nominate chefs in the community they'd like to see us collaborate with.  Wouldn't you know it, Nik (who we'd been delivering microgreens to, at Jonathan's Restaurant), nominated his new Chef!  Nik's nominating Chef Dylan lead to Dylan visiting our grow room a few weeks later.

Having Dylan here to chat and decide on what products to use in his Mission Microgreen Mix was fun.  The conversation was easy, like talking to an old friend.  For Luke, it was a bit of a walk down memory lane, because Dylan is self-taught—familiar territory for Luke.  For me, watching the conversation between the two of them was like watching a torch being passed.  Luke's left the restaurant industry, but it's still very much a part of who he is. Watching Dylan describe his path to Jonathan's Restaurant keeps the flame alive for people like Luke. People who buck the conventional system, make their own way, and forge a path ahead—even though it doesn't fit a traditional mold.

Growing up watching his dad as a roofer made it clear to Dylan that roofing was not what he wanted to do. Thankfully though, washing dishes and at the same time seeing his Grandfather toss pizzas with a smile and a twinkle in his eye, turned Dylan onto other possibilities. From his dishwasher's vantage point, all the opportunities in the world were there for the taking, and Dylan went after those opportunities. He learned from chefs on the lines in a few different kitchens (by asking a steady stream of questions), and from YouTube as well.

Over time, Dylan made his way from washing dishes to preparing the delicious and eye catching plates now on the menu at Jonathan's Restaurant or from his catering business Kitchen Mercenaries. It is clear to me from the short time Chef Dylan spent here in our Grow Room, that preparing meals isn't just a job for him—sending food out of the kitchen isn't just a way to pay the bills. Dylan uses food to showcase his artistry, passion, and creativity. The way he described learning about what he does, and the photos of what he's coming up with, give me the impression that he's just getting started. This guy is a lifelong learner and definitely a Chef to watch!

About Friends of the Poor Scranton

Chef Dylan has worked with Friends of the Poor in Scranton before and so when we asked what charity he'd like to benefit from his Mission Microgreen Mix, the choice was easy.

Below is some information from the About page on the Friends of the Poor Scranton's website. I visited thinking I'd look for a short overview, but their values align so closely with ours that most of their page is below!

Direct from their site:

The mission of Friends of the Poor is to bring together in friendship those who have the desire to give with those who are in need of assistance, in order to ease the burden of living in poverty and enhance the quality of life for all.

Sister Adrian’s vision was to bring together in friendship those who have the desire to give with those in need of assistance.

Friends of the Poor is committed to continuing the approach to service established by our founder, Sister Adrian Barrett, and perpetuating the values she embodied including:

No Judgment  We welcome all in the spirit of friendship, without judging who people are or how they came to be in their situation. We walk alongside those constrained by limited resources and look to be of service, sharing what we have with an open heart and a generous hand.

Connectedness  We are all part of the larger community of humankind. We connect those with resources to those in need. We work with other organizations and institutions to create a comprehensive system of support services and we bring the voices of the disenfranchised to those in power.

Partnership  We work hand-in-hand with people, no matter their circumstances, to help them achieve the kind of life they want for themselves and their families. Our board and staff collaborate well with each other, and we actively seek out and cultivate partnerships with organizations and individuals who are also committed to making a real difference in our community.

Integrity  Our board and staff are guided by the highest professional and ethical standards. We respect the environment and the impact of our operations on it. We model the inclusiveness, transparency and ethical behavior we seek to see in the world.

Volunteerism  We believe that service to others is the highest form of giving, and we continually create opportunities for everyone to participate in our work.
Wholeness– We take a holistic approach to service, identifying the full range of a person’s need then serving directly those we can and connecting those we can’t to other organizations that will.

About the Bittersweet Symphony Mission Microgreen Mix

This mix features the bright green, lemon-zesty punch of large leaf sorrel, the crisp spice of radish microgreens, and the peppery depth of arugula. Together, they strike the perfect balance of bitter and sweet, bold and smooth — a true flavor symphony in every bite! The contrasting colors and dynamic flavors not only look stunning on a plate but also reflect the mission behind this microgreen mix: bringing hope, harmony, and nourishment to our community.

To Chef Dylan:

Chef Dylan, it was great to hear your story and great to spend the time with you here in the grow room. Luke and I both thoroughly enjoyed the visit! We wish you the best at Jonathan's Restaurant, and with your catering business. Your passion for what you're doing comes through loud and clear... you're just getting started and we can't wait to see where your culinary journey takes you!