The Urban Oak Initiative, Arden’s Gardens and Carrot Dog to Share Their Expertise with the Community in a Panel Discussion and Plant-Based Business Showcase at Pittsburgh Yards
‘The Power of Food’ panel discussion featuring Leslie Zinn, CEO and family founder of
Arden’s Garden, Kevin “Chef Kev” McGee, executive director and family founder of the
Urban Oak Initiative, and Kemi Bennings, CEO of
Carrot Dog, will take place at
Pittsburgh Yards (352 University Ave. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310) on May 7, 2025 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. The plant-based thought leaders plan to share healthful insights, and the community impact and business growth opportunities regarding plant-based entrepreneurship. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. to allow attendees to enjoy tasting and purchasing food from the several plant-based food businesses that will be showcasing their food items before and after the panel.
The Urban Oak Initiative’s Foodpreneur Program, one of the first in the country supporting plant-based businesses, is sponsoring the event. Attendees will get a sneak peak of the Food Studio at Pittsburgh Yards, slated to be one of the nation’s first plant-based shared kitchen incubators.
“‘The Power of Food’ is more than an event—it’s a movement. This gathering of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and changemakers will explore how plant-based businesses drive economic empowerment, improve health, and revitalize underserved communities,” said McGee. “With food insecurity and sustainability at the forefront, this event will highlight how plant-based entrepreneurship can be accessible, profitable, and a catalyst for change.”
Zinn of Arden’s Garden will share her family’s journey from a small juice shop to a multi-state vegan brand known by millions of households. “Atlanta is my hometown, and from the moment my mother opened the first Arden’s Garden store in Midtown, our mission has been clear: to make healthy, affordable, plant-based food accessible to communities all across the region,” she said. “There’s a common misconception that underserved communities aren’t interested in fresh food—but the success of our stores proves otherwise.”
Bennings, who has a nurse/health educator background, will share more about why and how she launched Food for Thought Café and Carrot Dog. “My love for cooking and being plant-based, along with my love for hot dogs and my desire to see healthier food options in our communities, led to my plant-based foodpreneur journey,” she said.
Interested attendees can RSVP on Eventbrite by going
here. The cost to attend is free.
