🌱 Sustainable "Seed to Fruit" Philosophy at 4Roots Café
“Florida has some of the best produce, but some places will still outsource produce from other parts of the world,” clarifies Derek Perez, Culinary Director of 4Roots Café, “theres so many farmers in Florida we can support, so it just makes sense to use local produce.”
4Roots Café is located in the Orlando Science Center, operating off a “seed to fruit” philosophy that values fresh ingredients by local farmers. The café is accompanied by an agricultural exhibit (under construction), making the dining experience more immersive as it’s an extension of the museum as opposed to a separate part of the building.
With quality ingredients and emphasis on sustainability, each dish holds a high level of freshness. Take a peek at our eats!
🍖 Latin Bowl
The signature Latin Bowl features cilantro lime white rice for a tangy base, alongside a romaine and spinach mix that emphasizes freshness. The braised cuban pork has a tender chew, topped with salsa verde and a four bean medley for a hearty bite.
🥪 Sandwich
The Caprese Sandwich features layers of grilled chicken, sliced mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and arugula for a dynamic bite. The yogurt dressing brings the different ingredients together. The double-risen bread is baked by Olde Hearth Bread Company, Orlando’s original artisan bakery.
🍞 Focaccia
This flat-bread style focaccia is topped with roasted red pepper and kalamata olive tapenade for a slightly salty bite. The feta, roasted peppers, and spinach add a diversity flavors, while the pickled red onions provide a sweet tang.
🥗 Veggie Bowl
The café offers a build-your-own bowl service that caters to guests with specific dietary restrictions. This vegetarian bowl features garlic & ginger tofu that emphasizes a subtle spicy flavor, atop a bed of pesto noodles. Fresh avocados, tomatoes, and mushrooms highlight the freshness of their produce.
This café offers fast casual dishes that are elevated with quality ingredients from Florida farmers, helping minimize food waste as a third of Floridian produce gets thrown away when unused. Utilizing local ingredients also minimizes the carbon foot print of each dish, when compared to globally-outsourced produce that requires more vehicle emissions.
Not only will 4Roots help immerse guests in agricultural education through Orlando Science Center’s future exhibit, but the café also prioritizes the health of our local community through providing more nutritious meal options. This café is just the beginning roots of the larger 4Roots Farm Campus vision!
