Microgreens for big impact
Last month, we met up with Jennifer to discuss her food animator project. Inspired by neighborhood action during Snowmageddon, she knew that changes to how we view, store, produce and purchase food were needed.
In 2020, she started Local Wellness Collective with two like-minded individuals, and that summer, her first container garden invited neighbors to talk and share at her front step. Her interest in nutrition and health inspired her to take part as a Food Animator. Jennifer wanted to know - how could she help?
So many ideas sprouted up with her care that we had to catch up over coffee to learn more! Through the Local Wellness Collective, Jennifer was delivering food hampers with the Community Help Line and pitched an idea at the Social Innovation Kickstarter. She joined the Food Producers Forum and helped organize the building of 10 raised garden beds for single parent families. This summer she could be found tending the community garden a O’Brien Farm. Throughout it all, her ‘community action’ was securing a partnership between Green Farms NL and food banks.
Food banks rely on donations to operate. After working alongside the Community Food Helpline, Jennifer knew that vegetables weren’t always available in food hampers. She brought together food programs and a new local farm to bridge this gap.
Green Farm NL produces “micro” greens - the first leaves of kale, radish, and other green, which can be grown year round indoors. Freshly harvested microgreens, with tons of nutrients, were delivered the same day to local food banks. Matching up this fresh and perishable product meant organizing the time for dropping off and arranging storage. Jennifer also wanted to be sure that people were interested in receiving this type of food. Feedback, listening to those receiving food, was an important part of the initiative.
She also reached out for a national sponsorship with Sucseed to see if they would be interested in collaboration. It turns out there was! Clients receiving microgreens had the opportunity to provide feedback and enter a draw to win an indoor grow kit. Success and suceed-ing starts one small step at a time.
People were excited and gave positive feedback about this project. This will now continue all year round, including the colder months. Microgreens were a welcomed addition to the “ Healthy Hampers” program at Bridges to Hope, undoubtedly one the cities busiest food banks.
Beyond sharing food, making real community connections is where Jennifer draws her inspiration. Jennifer explored these ideas in meaningful practical ways. Speaking with empathy and listening to people most impacted by food insecurity. Meeting volunteers and learning why they take part, where they want to see action.
Next year, we’re looking forward to gardens sprouting up at more local food banks - a welcome place where food can be shared.