Hillwood Communities officials announced Tuesday that they donated 10,000 meals to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) and committed to donate a percentage of each crop from their new Harvest community farm in Argyle throughout the year.
Harvest is Hillwood’s new 1,150 acre master-planned, mixed use development located at the northwest corner of I-35W and FM 407.
“This partnership is in keeping with our mission to gather and grow our community together,” said Fred Balda, President of Hillwood Communities.
“Seeds are being planted now and this time next year we will have fresh, organic produce to give to the North Texas Food Bank in time for making Thanksgiving dinner possible for many needy families.”
Rocky Tassione of Tassione Farms in Stephenville, TX will be Harvest’s on-site famer and help teach residents how to grow their own produce like the families in Denton County did a hundred years ago.
The announcement came at a time when the North Texas Food Bank had just launched an initiative to secure more organic, fresh produce.
The Food Bank and the Perot family, who own Hillwood, have a long history of working together. More than 35 years ago, Bette Perot, sister of Ross Perot, Sr., donated space in the same warehouse that the Food Bank still calls home today.
Katherine Perot Reeves is a current member of the NTFB board of directors. Both said they were inspired by Lulu May Perot, who served meals to the homeless during the depression.
“There is such beauty in this partnership because of the legacy tie-in with the Perot Family and the North Texas Food Bank,” said Jan Pruitt, President and CEO, North Texas Food Bank. “We now have the fourth generation of the Perot Family stepping up to ensure food is not an obstacle to a person’s success in life. We are deeply grateful.”
During the ceremony, Mr. Perot recalled a story from his childhood about his grandmother feeding anyone who came looking for food during the Great Depression. The homeless people left a mark in front of their house, which meant she would feed people. A similar mark was placed in front of the Harvest house.
“This is in honor of my grandmother, LuLu May Perot, who always gave from her harvest to help those in need,” said Ross Perot, Jr. “We want to carry on that tradition here at our community farm.”
Harvest also unveiled the restored Faught Family farmhouse, which will serve as the Community Hospitality Center. Ross Perot, Sr. moved the farmhouse a year ago at the Harvest groundbreaking event.
Harvest Phase 1 builders include Highland Homes, David Weekley Homes and Plantation Homes. Five model homes are open and amenities are under construction.
Approximately 3,200 single-family homes are planned for Harvest ranging in price from the mid-$200s – $400s. The first phase consists of 323 homes that will be centered around amenities such as the 11-acre Harvest Lake, community pools, hike & bike trails, amphitheater, community center, playgrounds, parks, community farm, event center and recreation fields.
Harvest is in the Argyle Independent School District and will include both a future on-site elementary school and middle school.
Pictured above: Mitch Fadel, President and COO of Rent-A-Center and NTFB Board Member, Colleen Brinkman, Chief Philanthropy Officer NTFB, Katherine Perot Reeves – NTFB Board Member, Ross Perot, Jr. – Chairman of Hillwood, Rocky Tassione – Harvest Community Farmer.
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