Meet Destiny Dejesus | Founder of Texas Eats Green

We had the good fortune of connecting with Destiny Dejesus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Destiny, how does your business help the community?
Texas Eats Green creates a positive social impact by promoting access to healthy, plant-based options in restaurants within BIPOC communities. We work directly with local businesses to incorporate plant-based dishes, which helps address food deserts and provides healthier alternatives in underserved areas. By doing this, we empower communities of color to make more sustainable food choices, reduce the prevalence of diet-related illnesses, and contribute to the overall well-being of both people and the planet. Additionally, we support local businesses with free marketing services, helping them attract a wider, health-conscious customer base.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m incredibly proud of the work I’m doing with Texas Eats Green, especially when I look back at how far we’ve come. One of my proudest moments was standing in front of a room full of donors and pitching this project, knowing that their support would allow me to serve the community in a bigger, more impactful way. I’m so grateful to all the donors who believed in the mission, and especially to my team of amazing women of color in Dallas and San Antonio who are fully dedicated to making Texas Eats Green a reality.

I was born and raised in The Bronx, NY, in a neighborhood where access to fresh, healthy food was almost nonexistent. We had a bodega, a Chinese takeout spot, a pizza place, and a chicken joint. Junk food was the norm, and that’s something many people in communities of color can relate to. It wasn’t until I moved to Texas and began experiencing health issues that I realized I needed to make a change. Transitioning to a plant-based diet gave me more energy, clarity, and knowledge—it truly helped me thrive. Now, I want to give that same opportunity to others, especially to people who can’t afford high-end grocery stores like Whole Foods or don’t have the time to cook everything from scratch.

Starting Texas Eats Green has been a massive challenge, especially here in a state that’s very meat and dairy-centric. Many restaurant owners and food businesses aren’t immediately receptive to adding plant-based options, but what they don’t realize is how much opportunity this opens up for them. Expanding their menu can attract a whole new clientele and boost their business while serving the community in a healthier way.

What I want people to know is that Texas Eats Green is just getting started. We’re on a mission to shift the culinary landscape here in Texas—especially in BIPOC communities. We’re not just about promoting vegan restaurants for a month; we’re here to educate both business owners and the community about the importance of plant-based eating. We’re working toward lasting change, and I’m excited to see how far we’ll go.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, I’d definitely make it a point to support Black and Brown-owned vegan businesses. First stop would be heading up to the Plano/Frisco area to grab some incredible food at Vegan Heat and Vegan Vibrationz. Both are Black-owned and serve up amazing plant-based meals in really vibrant areas of town.

We’d hang out at Legacy Hall, which is a great spot for food, drinks, catching a game, or even enjoying some live music. It’s a fun atmosphere with lots to see and do. I’m also big on finding cool events through Eventbrite, so we’d probably hit up any vegan-friendly festivals or gatherings happening while she’s here.

Since I host my own vegan events in and around Dallas, it would be awesome if she visited while I had something going on. That way, she could experience delicious food, meet like-minded people, and dive into the local plant-based scene. There’s always something exciting happening in Dallas, especially if you know where to look!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to all the low to middle-class folks who know exactly what it’s like to work tirelessly just to keep things running—where making healthy food choices often takes a backseat to simply getting by. I know firsthand how that feels because I’ve been there myself. But I also know that if I had access to healthier options earlier in life, my physical and mental well-being would’ve been in a much better place years ago. So this is for them—the people juggling life, work, and family, and still trying to find a way to take care of themselves.

Website: https://www.texaseatsgreen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texaseatsgreen

Other: https://www.instagram.com/eatyodestiny

Image Credits

Panel discussion photo + sign on table taken by: Diego Leon De Jesus