So in this series we've learned about different ways that local areas are trying to fight the hunger crisis. So let's get the important stuff out of the way:
If you have the means, please donate to Feeding America by clicking on the box to the right. They help hungry kids through their Backpack Program, the Kid's Cafe, and Magic Summer Lunchbox programs.
Remember that Ameriprise Financial will match your donation two for one through September 30 -- which means that every dollar you donate results in 21 meals to hungry people.
Here in Cleveland, Ohio, we face the same geographic problem that cities and rural areas face: the Food Desert. One of the last times we did one of these blogathons -- and isn't it a sad commentary that we have to keep doing this? -- I discussed the Food Desert problem in-depth. But today, I am happy to announce that here in Cleveland, we're taking direct action and doing something about it.
Community Greenhouse Partners is proud to announce that we have purchased a piece of land from the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, and are about to embark on a $4.6 Million Capital Campaign in order to create a local-food centric business development district centered around an 18,000 sq.ft. greenhouse.
Community Greenhouse Partners has agreed to take possession of a 2.83-acre space on Cleveland's East Side. The site, a former Catholic church and school, will require an initial investment of $1.3 Million for exterior renovation and interior redesign. Externally, we plan to immediately build 5 hoop houses, at a cost of $15,000. Once completed, we will use the hoops to prove our concept and show it as an example for additional fundraising. In year two, we will need an additional $800,000 to build and equip the greenhouse proper, plus an additional $1.5 million to finish development of the church building and acquire necessary equipment and support systems. Such equipment includes a Bobcat utility vehicle, a refrigerated panel van for deliveries, an additional truck for collecting compostable materials, fish tank equipment and plumbing, education supplies for our classrooms, cash registers and coolers for the store, and computers, phones and office supplies for our office.
The mission of Community Greenhouse Partners is to improve the quality of life of those around us by selling locally-grown vegetables at low cost to urban families, employ local residents and teach sustainability and earth science to young people.
We create products that help satisfy local needs, such as low-cost quality vegetables, protein in the form of fish, natural fertilizer for local gardens through our composting, and non-polluting energy through our renewable energy systems.
What We Believe:
• Our most valuable assets are our people and our customers.
• Agriculture is the key to a sustainable future.
• In reaching out and helping our neighbors help themselves.
• In creating a better future through education and training.
• In respect for our surroundings and our environment.
• In integrity and responsiveness in all our interactions.
In order to meet this mission we will develop programs that combine earth, food, employment, self-worth, education and opportunity into a replicable sustainable system that will benefit both the individual as well as the community. These programs will be based on the following values:
• A valuable, sustainable community is one that integrates our human capital into a balanced ecosystem.
• Changes to the environment must be considered in context to their impact on the next seven generations.
• Changing the dynamics of a community begins with opportunity and creating the tools to achieve it.
• A healthy community is one that provides for the whole person.
• Respect for the individual, community and the environment must be integrated into all our actions.
• Our actions and accomplishments will be measured by our impact on the individual, the community and the environment.
Community Greenhouse Partners is exploring a new approach to urban farming, food production, and job training in Cleveland. It addresses people in almost every neighborhood in Cleveland, and many in the inner ring suburbs. It also has some potential to bring different racial groups and class groups into more frequent, constructive contact.
Making An Impact
In taking on this huge project, CGP plans to generate the following effects in the community:
• Healthy Food: We are distributing nutritious, freshly picked food to our low-income neighbors. A proper diet is critical for mental and physical health, so our products will have a direct, positive impact on our community.
• Building a new industry: $6.7 Billion was spent in northeast Ohio on food in 2008, and only $200 Million went to local farmers and food producers. In order to capture a greater share of that market, we need to be producing food year-round, in a way that's affordable and readily available. CGP will be a major player in an effort to get the local economy to buy 20% of their annual food budget locally – an effort begun by E4S.org and localfoodcleveland.org.
• Supporting entrepreneurship: CGP will spearhead this effort by sharing its business model with other entrepreneurs, training a new employee pool, and assisting other area growers to get under glass and increase their yields. CGP will also serve a fiduciary and training / resource agent for micro-enterprise programs based around local foods and vacant lot reutilization. We envision that one of our roles would be to create a "door" to the local food distribution system.
Our Greenhouse and Hoop House facilities will produce…
• Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula, Endive, Chard, Radicchio and other salad greens.
• Micro greens and Pea Sprouts
• Tilapia and Lake Perch
• Green Beans and Peas
• Multiple varieties of Tomatoes and Peppers
• Watercress and assorted Herbs
• Seasonal varieties including Field Greens, Zucchini and Yellow Squash, Onions, Bok Choy, Green Beans, Snap and Snow Peas, and much more.
In addition, the project will bring a number of other benefits to the neighborhood, including:
• Economic Development: We are bringing $3.4 Million in construction costs, $1 million in annual payroll and $2.5 million in annual sales to our future home. The project also employs the latest in green technology and sustainable practices, and could act as an engine for further growth in the area, while acting as a model for other cities to follow.
• Education: We will be teaching agriculture to local middle and high school students, offering a senior-level Vocational Education program in Agriculture. We also will offer job training for our workers, providing them with marketable skills.
• Attracting and retaining talent: Endeavors like this will require people with technical knowledge, business acumen and specific labor skills. Educational programs at nearby colleges and downsizing in the region can provide a pool of these people to support our effort. Conversely, adding this industry to Cleveland can help reshape Cleveland's image from an industrial rust belt to a Green City on a Blue Lake.
Nothing like this currently exists in Cleveland. All other urban agribusiness in Cleveland is ground-based, with late spring, summer and fall production only. We will be the first in the area to grow a full range of vegetables using organic methods year round. We will also be the first large-scale, high-yield, commercial grower within county limits. Other urban farms are small, employing 3-5 people, whereas we will employ five times as many. None of the other farming operations connect with area schools to give credit to students for learning practical applications of science.
If you're interested in making a donation towards the CGP, feel free to do so through this handy Paypal link:
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--Clicking onto to your state on this map will return results for homeless shelters and soup kitchens in your area.
Feeding America Blogathon Diary Schedule (all EDT):
Saturday, Sept 25:
10:00a -- rb137
1:00p -- teacherken
4:00p -- Patriot Daily
7:00p -- srkp23
10:00p -- boatsie
Owls -- Jay in Portland
Sunday, Sept 26
10:00a -- JanF
1:00p -- Aji
4:00p -- Timroff <-- You Are Here! <br> 7:00p -- Chacounne
10:00p -- blue jersey mom