GROW & GATHER WITH MELLODY FARM


EXPLORING URBAN FARMING

Cultivating Community,
One Veggie at a Time

Urban Farm Mellody Farm Vernon Hills Garden Chicago Illinois Ecology Vernon Hills Food Pantry Regency Centers Fresh Look Vernon Hills Township

MELLODY FARM

Regency Centers’ Signature Garden Collection


Handpicked to reflect the spirit of Regency Centers, this collection of fruits, vegetables, and edible flowers draws inspiration from our vibrant brand palette and values. From golden tomatoes to deep indigo cherries and fiery marigolds, each variety was chosen not just for its color and flavor, but for what it represents — thoughtful growth, community connection, and the joy of fresh, local food. Whether thriving in an urban garden or shared at the table, these plants are a living expression of the color, care, and purpose that shape everything we cultivate at Regency.

The Marigold Durango Outback Mix is an edible flower variety known for its vibrant array of colors, including gold, orange, red, mahogany, and bicolor blooms. This French marigold variety offers a mildly citrusy or spicy flavor, making it a versatile and attractive culinary addition.

The Indigo Cherry Drop is a cherry tomato variety celebrated for its unique purplish-red skin with a striking indigo blush. This heirloom-style hybrid is known for its naturally sweet, fruity flavor with a hint of acidity, making it especially appealing to kids and picky eaters. Maturing in approximately 70 to 80 days, the Indigo Cherry Drop is both beautiful and flavorful.

The Citrine cherry tomato is a vibrant orange hybrid (F1) variety that matures in approximately 60 days. Known for its full-bodied, sugary taste and firm consistency, Citrine is a popular pick for those who enjoy a robust and flavorful bite.

The Gin Fizz is a visually captivating heirloom-style tomato, showcasing vibrant yellow skin streaked with shades of red and orange. As a hyloom hybrid, it reaches peak ripeness in roughly 65 to 70 days and offers a well-rounded flavor that balances sweetness with just the right touch of acidity.

Groceries and Greens: Our mission to nourish the community

At Regency Centers, we believe in more than just retail — we believe in responsibility, innovation, and community. Our latest initiative at Mellody Farm brings these values to life through the MicroHabitat Urban Farm activation, a unique and sustainable installation that reflects our commitment to creating places with purpose.

This urban farm, located in the green lawn area between Nordstrom Rack and the children’s play area, features 60 pots of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. Over the course of the growing season (June through October), the farm is expected to yield over 300 pounds of produce, harvested weekly and donated to the Vernon Township Food Pantry. It’s a tangible way we are addressing food insecurity while educating the community on the benefits of urban agriculture and greener living.

This initiative is part of our larger Fresh Look® program—an intentional approach to enhancing shopping center experiences by fostering a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere tailored to each neighborhood. It also embodies our mission, vision, and values: connecting with communities, doing what’s right, and being responsible stewards of our properties and the environment.

We’re proud to integrate this project into our broader efforts around corporate responsibility. As detailed in our 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report, we strive to balance purpose and profit—ensuring positive impact for our stakeholders while setting new standards in sustainability and community engagement.

With this inaugural farm installation at Mellody Farm, Regency Centers is planting the seeds for a greener, healthier future—redefining how shopping centers serve their communities through innovation, education, and philanthropy.

URBAN FARM’S PRODUCE

Tomatoes

Hybrid Speckled Roman
  • Type: Vegetable – Heirloom Tomato
  • Color: Red orange with golden-yellow speckling
  • Flavor & Texture: Rich, tangy, mildly sweet with a meaty consistency
  • Days to Maturity: 75–85
  • Growth Habit: Indeterminate, heirloom, paste tomato
  • Highlights: Especially favored for its naturally sweet taste — ideal for children and selective eaters
  • Suggested Use: Delicious raw in salads or lightly roasted to intensify its flavor

 

Tasmanian Chocolate
  • Type: Vegetable – Heirloom Tomato
  • Color: Mahogany to deep red
  • Flavor & Texture: Rich and sweet with a subtle smoky undertone
  • Days to Maturity: Not specified
  • Lineage: Hybrid of ‘New Big Dwarf’ and ‘Paul Robeson’
  • Highlights: Known for its naturally sweet profile — a hit with children and selective eater
  • Suggested Use: Tastes great fresh in salads or gently roasted for a deeper flavor

Eggplants

Summer Emerald
  • Type: Vegetable – Eggplant
  • Color: Lime green
  • Flavor & Texture: Naturally sweet with no bitterness
  • Days to Maturity: 65
  • Growth Habit: Hybrid (F1), Asian-style eggplant
  • Highlights: A great option for kids and selective eaters thanks to its mild, pleasant taste
  • Suggested Use: Excellent fresh in salads or lightly roasted to amplify its sweetness

 

Thanos
  • Type: Vegetable – Eggplant
  • Color: Extra-dark purple
  • Flavor & Texture: Earthy with mild bitterness and nutty undertones
  • Days to Maturity: 65
  • Growth Habit: Hybrid (F1), Black Bell variety
  • Highlights: Stunning coloration enhances the visual appeal of any garden space
  • Suggested Use: Highly adaptable — can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or preserved

Peppers

Snowball Pepper
  • Type: Vegetable – Pepper
  • Color: Ivory to golden yellow
  • Flavor & Texture: Mild to sweet with a fruity note
  • Days to Maturity: 65–85
  • Growth Habit: F1 Hybrid (Capsicum annuum)
  • Highlights: Naturally sweet and appealing — ideal for kids and selective palates
  • Suggested Use: Perfect raw in salads or lightly roasted to enhance its flavor
Round of Hungary
  • Type: Vegetable – Pepper
  • Color: Not specified
  • Flavor & Texture: Sweet, clean, and fruity with no heat
  • Days to Maturity: Not specified
  • Growth Habit: Not specified
  • Highlights: Naturally sweet and gentle — ideal for children and selective eaters
  • Suggested Use: Great in salads or lightly roasted to deepen its flavor profile

 

Leafy Greens

Darkibor
  • Type: Leafy Green
  • Color: Dark green, finely curled
  • Flavor & Texture: Rich, earthy, slight sweetness
  • Days to Maturity: 50 – 75
  • Growth Habit: Brassica oleracea var. acephala
  • Highlights: Beloved for its naturally sweet flavor — perfect for kids and picky eaters.
  • Suggested Use: Enjoy raw in salads or lightly roasted to bring out sweetness.
Swiss Chard Bright Lights
  • Type: Leafy Green – Chard
  • Color: Green to bronze leaves, multi-colored stems
  • Flavor & Texture: Mild, sweet, slightly bitter
  • Days to Maturity: 55 – 60
  • Growth Habit: Open-pollinated – seeds can be saved and replanted
  • Highlights: Beloved for its naturally sweet flavor — perfect for kids and picky eaters.
  • Suggested Use: Enjoy raw in salads or lightly roasted to bring out sweetness.

Herbs

Basil Red Rubin
  • Type: Herb – Basil
  • Color: Purple foliage
  • Flavor & Texture: Spicy with clove-like warmth
  • Days to Maturity: 60 – 70
  • Growth Habit: Improved cultivar of Dark Opal basil
  • Highlights: A kitchen staple — easy to grow and bursting with culinary potential.
  • Suggested Use: Perfect for sandwiches, salads, or stir-fries for a spicy kick.
Chives Nira
  • Type: Herb – Chives
  • Color: Green
  • Flavor & Texture: Mild garlic
  • Days to Maturity: Not specified
  • Growth Habit: Garlic
  • Highlights: A kitchen staple — easy to grow and bursting with culinary potential.
  • Suggested Use: Versatile — enjoy fresh, cooked, or preserved.