As thrilling it is to see a sweeping, 46,000-square-foot marketplace brimming with Italian food open in Dallas, there is something else that Eataly’s arrival does. It confirms that Dallas, and the greater area in which local farmers and producers sow land and raise animals, is a bona fide slow food city.

No, it’s not surprising; it’s something that has been growing for many years. Yes, we’ve been abuzz from being named Best Restaurant City of the Year by Bon Appetit. But to have a thriving restaurant scene, a city needs to have an even richer agriculture environment. Look no further than the microgreens at Profound Foods and the pasture-raised beef from local ranchers.