4 Non-Profits That Container Farm to Make a Difference
Four non-profit organizations that are improving their community with a container farm.
Growing food has the unique ability to empower individuals, nurture bodies, and unify communities. The simple act of growing things provides countless advantages, such as therapeutic work, hands-on learning, and a greater appreciation for fresh food.
For us at Freight Farms, these are some of the most rewarding stories. Working with nonprofits ties us back to our roots and the original purpose for building our container farming platform. Below, we’ve highlighted just four amazing non-profits that we have had the pleasure to work with: Pillsbury United Communities, Cass Community Social Services, Lotus House, and San Antonio Clubhouse.
Pillsbury United Communities Uses Food in the Fight for Justice
Minneapolis, Minnesota
In a city full of diversity, Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) works hard to bring people that are often so apart, together. The organization was built on the belief that systemic problems can’t be solved without systemic and holistic solutions. Through a united systems of programs, community centers, and social enterprises, PUC helps various Minneapolis groups thrive.
The organization’s Freight Farm is located just steps away from North Market, their one-of-a-kind Black-led grocery store that alleviates the food apartheid in the northern part of the city. PUC’s container farm works in conjunction with its numerous urban gardens, food shelves, and hot meal services to set the standard for how supporting community with community can create incredible change.
“It’s more than a community center, it’s more than a grocery store: We’re creating the product right there, we’re selling directly into North Market, we’re cutting out the middleman...and passing the savings on to customers and clients.”
Cass Community Farms in the Food Desert
Detroit, Michigan
In 2017, the Bill Ford Better World Challenge awarded $250,000 to the Ford Mobile Farm Project in Detroit. The project is operated by Cass Community Social Services, and uses a Freight Farms container farm to bring fresh food access and nutritional education to Detroit residents. Cass Community was founded in 2002 to fight poverty in the Detroit area. The non-profit focuses on expanding food access, health services, housing and job opportunities to at-risk members of the community. With 40% of the Detroit population currently living under the poverty line, Cass Community has a big task on hand.
The non-profit uses their container farm to supplement the CCSS community garden, which grows food for the community kitchen. Additionally, the produce from the farm is be sold locally to neighborhood restaurants to create a revenue stream that supports other initiatives. By operating the farm in conjunction with their food bank and education programs, Cass Community can combine conceptual classes about the importance of nutrition with the healthy food that can make the difference.
“The greatest feature for us is the ability to have fresh, free, organic food all year long. Our food choices are as critical as our exercise habits in terms of health.”
Lotus House Farms to End Homelessness
Miami, florida
Lotus House is not your typical shelter. The non-profit focuses on holistic rehabilitation, providing women and children who are experiencing homelessness a residential facility and resource center where they can get back on their feet. This includes the basics–food, shelter, support–but also a robust education and employment program, access to healthcare, and programming for kids of all ages.
The Lotus House container farm is an essential piece of the center’s mission. It is the source of healthy greens for the community kitchen, which serves an average of 500 women and children every day. The farm is also an innovative after-school program for children of all ages, many of whom are accompanied by their mothers. This gives the staff the chance to teach the benefits of good nutrition while residents connect with the process of growing their own food.
“If we can play even a small part...in getting children excited about eating fruits and vegetables, exposing them to something they’ve never eaten before, or bringing moms and kids together to watch their plants grow...it’s a worthy battle. ”
Image: San Antonio Express News
San Antonio Clubhouse Farms to Encourage Personal Growth
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Clubhouse is founded on the belief that “everyone deserves to be part of a caring community, and that every person has talents to share”. The non-profit caters to adults with mental health conditions, giving over two thousand members a place where they can learn and grow through meaningful work. The Clubhouse also offers job training and helps members build a resume, search for work, and advocate to potential employers.
The Clubhouses’ container farm is an important piece of this system. Not only does the year-round farm provide healthy greens for the facility, but it is one of the ways members can volunteer to gain job experience. Any produce not used by San Antonio Clubhouse is donated to other local non-profits. For the Clubhouse, the farming process is as important, if not more, than the healthy crops that are harvested. The routine of seeding, transplanting, and harvesting gets Clubhouse members to work hard, collaborate, develop new skills, and ultimately come away with feelings of pride for all they’ve accomplished.
“This is the perfect project for us because we are founded on two principles...meaningful relationships and rewarding work.”
