How It All Started...
Marie has always been passionate about taking care of the planet and reducing her carbon footprint. When Cliff made a call out to Sacramento restaurants and chefs to learn about his Elk Grove farm, Marie was the only interested party and has been visiting for nearly a decade since. Marie’s visits include repurposing organic waste from the restaurant and harvesting the available herbs and vegetables for guests to enjoy in her delicious dishes.
![Cliff's Garden](https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5c2585269a1c1d8f1a434bda271abc45 320w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=260764c08564fe2dcc5185c930f73711 540w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ff6b6af82d3e65d6cb4299687276774a 768w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=21cbd6ec0b073ddd9bde04ead0daa0e5 1024w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=e75a34b4481072a9227c02fbfcba6aea 1200w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=cfce3eea4b7a805e7c5281d268472a68 1440w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=eafb841b2030c30c0737a5419e9ef975 1920w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=fcb0f1e450997e296449472bd8537f9c 2400w)
Elk Grove
We benefit so much from the farm; the community benefits too. I’m so fortunate to have built this partnership. It feels like home.Marie Mertz, Chef of Todo Un Poco
The Organic Waste Project Begins
Cliff, owner and farmer of the land west of Interstate 5, is enthusiastic about his relationship with Marie and Todo Un Poco. Cliff and Marie’s Organic Waste Project is a culmination of the duo’s efforts to live sustainably and encourage others to do the same. From rice to vegetables, Marie can repurpose organic waste from the restaurant to feed the chickens on the property.
Although Marie makes frequent visits to the farm to recycle the waste, she also finds new ways to “give new life to the same old food.” Marie explains that “carrots are one of the ingredients that I have achieved zero organic waste,” using the root vegetable in many forms such as soups and dressings.
Sustainability Tips from Marie & Cliff
Cliff and Marie are a pure representation of a family farm and local restaurant working together to create delicious dishes for all to enjoy and take care of the Earth one plate at a time. Learn more about how you can practice sustainability with tips from Marie and Cliff.
Buy less – When visiting the supermarket, buy only what you will eat or freeze to reduce waste.
Ask for smaller portions – If you aren’t a fan of leftovers, ask your server for a smaller plate. Todo Un Poco is happy to provide this option to guests.
Take one step at a time – Cultivating sustainable habits takes time, but it is important that we all try to implement eco-friendly practices. Marie says, “You don’t have to go to a farm to start making a change.”
Visit Todo Un Poco today and taste the foods that are growing right in our backyard! We are proud to have Marie, a sustainable chef and creator, and Cliff, a generous and knowledgeable individual, in our community.
![Cliff and Marie](https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=923b8fa697690b39e9df2b040c008458 320w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=bbe0455d4b79a547e2d742a38fb622c1 540w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ec5a301b887d613257156692236ba90d 768w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d6462e687c18b67ac945a012075468cd 1024w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f50141669044a7254cdef828ba89e13e 1200w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=69322ada70b0497959e034af8175127e 1440w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=7ba37d4a6bca2efc6a327618729fbea5 1920w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=d852cbc70c1bbd0fab4a7f067b7397b0 2560w, https://elk-grove.imgix.net/images/Todo-un-Poco-Farm-Visit-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=9f075daba7cdee6b300aaceefc7f64c8 3840w)
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Todo Un Poco
9080 Laguna Main St Elk Grove, California 95758 (916) 684-7774 Website