Urban Abundance

Jack Sandquist

Meet Jack Sandquist!  He is the owner, educator, and farmer at Urban Abundance, a company specializing in creating edible landscapes.  It’s more than a company, it’s a movement and a mindset shift that is promoting sustainability and local organic food systems across south Florida.  Instead of thirsty lawns which generally require fertilizer and pesticides to maintain a pristine appearance, Jack installs edible plants & trees that provides an organic source of food for you and your family.  Edible landscapes are more ecologically sound as they attract pollinators, provide habitat for birds & wildlife and encourage microorganisms in the soil.  Healthy soil stores carbon and thereby slows climate change.  Edibles can be interspersed with other native plants to maintain visual interest all year round.  We live in a climate that is well suited for growing a wide variety of vegetables, tuber and fruit-bearing trees.  Not only does growing your own food help reduce your carbon footprint, you get the peace of mind of knowing exactly where your food is coming from, who handled it and what chemicals are (or aren’t) on it.  The biggest upside to swapping out your grass is delicious food growing right outside your door.  Win-Win!!

Jack is one of 5 children, with 3 younger brothers and an older sister that grew up in North Palm Beach.  The family lived in Hidden Key and he attended the nearby Benjamin School.  He has fond memories of living near the water and running along the seawalls.  He now lives in Palm Beach Gardens with his girlfriend, Valerie and their dog, a beagle mix named Olivia.  When he’s not in the garden, or at the Sunday Farmer’s Market, he likes to attend music shows and walk his dog.

We met up with Jack at his headquarters to find out more about this project and why he loves living in The Palm Beaches.  Thank you, Jack, for taking the time to share your knowledge and passion with us.

 

Q:  What inspired you or led you to your current career?

A:  “I was never really fulfilled as a  student in school and I dropped out.  I wanted to explore the world and kind of, you know, gain experience that way.  My friends and I decided to go to Europe.  We figured out the way to do it on the cheap would be to do work-trade on farms and stay there for our accommodations,  like room and board.   We went from country to country staying on these farms and I immediately fell in love with it.  My first spot was in Sweden.  Within a couple of days, I remember thinking this is where it’s at.  This is what I want to do.”

 

Q:  What is your favorite restaurant in The Palm Beaches, and what do you love there?

A:  “Probably The Cooper.  It’s a good one.  I get the veggie burger with the side of wild mushrooms.”

 

Q:  How long have you lived or worked in The Palm Beaches?

A:  “I guess I moved here when I was 7, you know, so I moved here in second grade and grew up here.  My business has been going for 4 years here.”

 

Q:  Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in The Palm Beaches?

A:  “My best buddy from high school.  My friend, Jared who I grew up with.  He helped start this shared workspace in downtown West Palm.  It’s called 1909.  He’s probably one of the most creative people I know and he keeps me inspired.”

 

Q:  If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?  And why?

A:  “Probably Africa, travel all over and do safaris and stuff.  I love nature and I hear it’s really beautiful there.”

 

Q:  What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?

A:  “Elf is my favorite movie.  He is such a great character!”

 

Q:  What advice would you give a crowd of people?

A:  “Think for yourself.”

 

Q:  What is something on your bucket list?

A:  “To help create an eco-village that is fully self-sustainable, like water, solar, everything.  That’s probably number one on my bucket list.”

 

Q:  What is your favorite music or 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?

A:  “Anything good!”  I would love to see Pink Floyd, number one.  I’ve already seen some of my favorite bands, so maybe Red Hot Chili Peppers and Emancipator.”

 

Q:  What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about The Palm Beaches?

A:  “Duffy’s just because it’s classic.  I used to ride my bike there as a kid and watch sports games.   That was the destination for my friends and I when we were really little, like 8, 9, and 10.  We would get warm brownie Sundaes.  Duffy’s is nostalgic.”

 

Q:  Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch?  Why?  Where in The Palm Beaches would you have lunch?

A:  “Probably Tony Robbins. That guy is awesome.  Where would we go for lunch?  Probably his place on the beach.  He lives in Palm Beach.  That would be a good day for me.”

 

Q:  What is your favorite thing or something unique about The Palm Beaches?

A:  “The beautiful winter weather.  That’s it!”

 

Q:  Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A:  “Teaching more people how to grow their own food on a larger scale, speaking and more stuff like that.  You know, reaching more people.”

 

Q:  (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

A:  “I can do the Rubik’s Cube.  I don’t think anyone knows that.  I can do it in a couple of minutes.  I figured it out when I was 13.  It took months of doing it all the time before I figured it out.”

 

Q:  What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A:  ” Love, Support, Comfort.”

 

Q:  If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?

Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

A:  “I would probably say, chef.  It’s a time thing and I love good food.”

 

Q:  If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

A:  “Jack Black!  That guy is amazing!”

 

Want to jump in and get your edible landscape going?  Learn to grow food like a pro.  Jack is holding a Grow Food at Home Masterclass at Urban Abundance Headquarters in Jupiter.  Dates are March 20 – 21, 2020 from 9 – 4.  The cost is $399.  Get signed up, space is limited.  It’s going to be AWESOME!

You can find Jack on Sundays from 8 – 1 at the Gardens GreenMarket | 10500 N Military Trl, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

 


The Faces of The Palm Beaches is a project showcasing the amazing people that live or work in our community.  Who do you know that should be nominated?

Nomination Form

  • Please help me get in touch with them by providing either a phone #, email or both. Thanks!

 

 

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