Corporate Partner Spotlight: 317grow

317grow is not your typical landscaping company. "I really like to challenge the status quo," says partner and design principal, Amanda Thieman, "and we all really love to surprise and delight our clients and see our projects and properties be the foundation for experiences that many families create." Amanda and her business partner Brian Thieman are also highly involved with the Indianapolis community, working with The Patachou Foundation and other nonprofits including Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and Big Green.How did 317grows's relationship with The Patachou Foundation begin?The relationship started many years ago when we were able to help with Napolese at Keystone at the Crossing Mall. From that moment on, we have been helping with flowers and container arrangements and general landscape maintenance work on the exterior of many of the restaurant locations.How does 317 support TPF?We are event sponsors, but our missions align beyond that. Building learning gardens where children can grow their own food then the possibility to step into the kitchen with TPF to learn how to prepare and cook the food that they were responsible for growing couldn’t align any better if you ask us.What about TPF's mission inspires you?There is a feeling of humanity and selflessness about the mission of TPF that just makes me so happy, and it reminds me of the mission of 317grow. We both want to enhance and better people’s lives whether it be through outdoor spaces that people can enjoy together or developing the knowledge and excitement of whole food. We love seeing Instagram photographs of superhero kids learning to cook and embrace healthy food... we both care about others and I hope 317grow can be more involved as each year passes.What has been the coolest part of your experience supporting TPF so far?With our families not living here, it is difficult to explain TPF and be able to have them truly understand the impact it has on everyone. This year, we invited both of our moms to join us for a First Friday event and we are so excited for them to travel to Indy in order to see and understand TPF first hand and the wonderful team members that are involved with the organization.Beyond keeping bellies full, why does food matter?The older I get I realize that food has the power to connect people in the most interesting of ways. The hard work and artistry in the service industry often gets overlooked and underappreciated because so many people are in a hurry to get somewhere or text someone back right away. This fall, I was able to visit LA for a work conference and when I was done every day I would head out to as many restaurants as possible….all by myself. I would sit at the bar, introduce myself to the bartender and tell him to order me whatever he wanted. I loved hearing why they picked what they did and the story behind each plate served. To see the people around me wonder how I was going to eat all of the food was also an image not to be forgotten. The food was incredible, the hard work and creativity was beautiful to watch and it helped me be comfortable being alone in a big city. The food (or edible art if you would have seen some of the dishes!) was the foundation for some amazing memories. Food matters because it has the ability to make us better; physically, emotionally and mentally.Can you share a food memory, family tradition, or something you loved to eat when you were a kid?When I asked Brian, my business partner, what his was, he answered immediately: CINNAMON ROLLS, CINNAMON ROLLS, CINNAMON ROLLS! The morning of Thanksgiving his dad makes homemade cinnamon rolls and they are the bomb.com and were the perfect start for a great Thanksgiving Day.For my family, it is Soup Sunday. About 15 years ago, my mom and stepdad started a tradition to have a party on a Sunday afternoon in October that has stuck and is now the favorite day of the year for all of us. Everyone brings a different soup or chili and snacks galore then we grill the basics. Even with 60-70 people in attendance, we manage to make homemade apple butter for everyone on the campfire, the kids play football and partake in whatever snazzy craft my mom has thought of that year and we get to be together. The amount of work that goes into it is ridiculous and I have no idea how my mom does it, but I would replace any holiday with this day if I had the option.