Since Adam Eskin first opened Dig (formerly known as Dig Inn) in 2011, it’s grown into a multifaceted business endeavor that now spans multiple states and involves more than just restaurants.

1. Restaurant Highlight: Dig
Food Group
Since Adam Eskin first opened Dig (formerly known as Dig Inn) in 2011, it’s grown
into a multifaceted business endeavor that now spans multiple states and
involves more than just restaurants. Dig began as a way to provide healthy,
locally-sourced meals to guests and simultaneously support family farms in the
community. Now, however, Dig has locations in New York, Boston, Philadelphia,
Rye Brook and Brooklyn, and they deliver across Manhattan and Williamsburg.
On top of building a successful chain of fast-casual restaurants, they’ve
undertaken endeavors that necessitated the invention of Dig Food Group. This
organization encompasses the restaurant chain as well as Dig Acres Farm, a
12-acre plot in Orange County where they produce their own food. This began as a
means to understand more about their friends at the local farms.
To help people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dig Food Group is also
putting their considerable resources toward community relief efforts.
Dig Acres Farm Box
At Dig, they’re no stranger to community-supported agriculture (also known as
CSA). In the summer of 2019, Dig Acres Farm partnered with FoodKick, a
same-day fresh food delivery service, to test out using a farm box to get fresh,
organic vegetables into the homes of those who needed it. They opened their
restaurants for a similar reason, however the farm box allowed them to reach and
help more families.
On March 28th, they relaunched what they’ve dubbed the Dig Acres Farm Box
since this pandemic began. Their website describes its contents as “farm-fresh
produce from friends of Dig Acres. Selection of 7 – 9 vegetables rotates every
Saturday.” Due to the nature of their work, Dig Food Group has connections with
many local farmers who, since restaurants all over have shut down, now have an
excess of supplies. Many people need these ingredients right now but struggle to

2. find them on grocery shelves. The Dig Acres Farm Box helps local farmers unload
and receive compensation for their sudden excess of supplies, and connects them
to consumers who need the produce.
They reopened the farm box for two reasons. Firstly, they recognized that many
people rely on grocery delivery but cannot find an available time slot on any of the
platforms designed for this service. Thus Dig Food Group decided to be that
go-between. Secondly they had already planned to reinstate their farm box this
coming summer; however, given the pressing nature of COVID-19 and the
unpredictable situation that it has thrust many households into, Dig Food Group
decided to open the box earlier than planned so that they could do their part
supporting the community. They already had the necessary resources, know-how
and systems in place, thus they could reinstitute the farm box when people really
needed the supplies.
The farm box changes every Saturday. Dig Food Group works with their local
suppliers to discover what farmers need to unload that week and then design the
box accordingly. They list what’s inside underneath the “GET A BOX” button on
their website so customers can decide exactly what they need and when they
need it.
The box has already had a major impactful on local communities, so much so
that, although they began the endeavor in New York, as of April 24th Dig Food
Group announced plans to expand their efforts to cover Philadelphia and Boston
as well. Already, farmers and farmers market delivery companies are reaching out
to see if they can join the effort. In times like these, we can never extend enough
helping hands.
Dig Feeds
Dig Feeds is another endeavor started by the Dig Food
Group. During this crisis, some families need more than
healthy ingredients; some also require meals to get

3. them through these tough times. Thus, Dig Food Group
launched Dig Feeds.
According to the website, Dig Feeds aims to “feed people in need during this
crisis and beyond. Our farmers and chefs who usually turn vegetables into food
for Dig restaurants donate thousands of meals to the people who need them
most. 100% of all funds contributed will go to the sourcing, cooking and serving of
meals through Dig Feeds.”
People in need can request a meal delivery. Those with the means to do so also
have the option to gift a meal to somebody else. Dig Feeds is working hard to
accommodate all dietary restrictions and allergies to ensure that they can
efficiently and effectively help as many people as possible.
Dig Feeds also launched their “buy a bowl, give a bowl” program to further assist
the most vulnerable members of the community. For each order they receive,
they also donate a meal to a local hospital, school, homeless shelter, nonprofit,
small business or other partner organization in need.
Over the course of this pandemic,, the Dig Food Group has already donated nearly
100K meals to people in need.
Looking toward the future
Dig Food Group has worked tirelessly to support local farms and families
struggling because of this virus and the strain it has put on people and businesses
alike. They have no plans to slow their relief work while COVID-19 continues to
threaten society, and in fact hope to support their local farms, practice
community relief efforts and get healthy food on consumers’ tables long after the
danger has passed.
Although previous to this pandemic, Dig Food Group’s focus lay in their restaurant
chain and organic farm partners, they hope to continue learning about and
implementing effective community outreach in the future. As Taylor Lanzet, a
member of Dig Food Group, put it: “It’s not about going back to what we were
before, but building a better food system moving forward.”