Fork Farms has been working with nOURish BRIDGEPORT Inc. since 2020 to bring fresh, sustainably-grown foods to more people in an area of the country that is not only declared a “food desert” by the USDA but also has a high rate of food and nutrition insecurity. To combat food insecurity and boost overall health, nOURish BRIDGEPORT has built Connecticut’s first non-profit indoor hydroponic farm with farms growing fresh produce such as leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and more 365 days of the year to distribute to food pantry client neighbors.
nOURish BRIDGEPORT initially started growing hydroponically with four Flex Farms to feed food pantry clients fresh food year-round. Today, the organization has 25 Flex Farms and one Flex Acre and grows 150 pounds of fresh, healthy produce each week.
nOURish Bridgeport's Flex Acre installation (left) and hydroponic lettuce (right) grown from their Flex Farms/Flex Acre. (Photos from @nourishbridgeport on Instagram.)
The Flex Farm is Fork Farms highly scalable, mobile vertical growing system that requires only 9 square feet of space and a standard electrical outlet for operation. It can grow lettuce, greens, herbs, and a variety of other foods on-site, quickly, efficiently, and affordably. One Flex Farm can grow 25 pounds of lettuce every 28 days and is an ideal solution for homes, schools, or almost any other application. The Flex Acre is a revolutionary commercial hydroponic system that brings high efficiency to large-scale farms. Each Flex Acre growing system is capable of producing more than 100 pounds of leafy greens and other fruits and vegetables every month.
Nourish Indoor Farm was created to open the accessibility door for people of Bridgeport who struggle with food security, educate people on nutrition and health, and foster community. For someone who lives in Bridgeport, the average age at death is 60, and for someone who lives nearby in Westport, the average age at death is 79. That is quite a difference. nOURish BRIDGEPORT’s goal is to help change this statistic via providing fresh, nutritious food to those who need it most. Currently, their Super Food Pantry provides groceries to 600 families each week, feeding 2,400 people.
Nourish Indoor Farm also was designed to offer educational opportunities for students and adults, as well as provide volunteer and internship opportunities. Approximately 2,500 adults and youth volunteers power nOURish’s various programs, which foster community and educational opportunities. Additionally, Nourish Indoor Farm offers financial sustainability for the non-profit organization as they sell a portion of the produce they grow to the State of Connecticut’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which works to reduce poverty and food insecurity while stimulating economic growth. nOURish BRIDGEPORT also provides close to 200 fresh pre-packed salads each week to assist in a Hartford Medical research study on combating Type 2 diabetes. nOURish BRIDGEPORT is making an impact on their community with the fresh fruits and vegetables they are growing in their hydroponic farms. We are very fortunate to work with their organization.
Hydroponic systems are ideal for various settings but are a particularly good solution for food banks big and small as they provide fresh, nutritious food year-round that is grown efficiently and quickly. The benefits include:
Hydroponic gardens can operate year-round, regardless of climate changes, natural disasters, and seasonality. This uninterrupted production means food banks can provide fresh vegetables and fruits to those in need throughout the entire year, helping to combat food insecurity more effectively.
Vertical farming maximizes the use of space. Food banks can set up hydroponic gardens in small spaces such as unused warehouse areas, basements, large closets, etc. to ensure a consistent supply of fresh, quality produce.
Hydroponic systems often result in faster plant growth and higher yields compared to traditional soil farming because they are grown in a controlled environment. Plants receive a perfect balance of nutrients and water, which optimizes their growth. This efficiency means that food banks can produce more food in a shorter amount of time, enhancing their capacity to serve their communities.
In general, access to fresh, nutritious produce is often limited for food bank clients. Hydroponic gardens can provide a reliable source of nutrient-dense fresh foods such as leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and more, improving the overall health of those who rely on food banks. Since hydroponically-grown foods are grown hyper-locally, they don’t lose nutrients, making them among the healthiest fresh foods available.
Transportation and food storage are significant cost factors for food banks. Growing food on-site with a hydroponic farm reduces the need for both of these things, lowering overall operational costs. Food grown on-site is also fresher since it is grown locally and does not have to travel thousands of miles to get from farm to plate. It is estimated that fresh produce in the United States travels about 1,500 miles to get from farm to plate; hydroponically-grown foods are grown on-site and sustainably.
Hydroponic gardens can serve as educational tools. They provide a hands-on learning experience about sustainable agriculture, science, nutrition, and community. Food banks can involve volunteers and clients in the gardening process, teaching valuable real-life skills, and job training, providing a sense of ownership and responsibility, and fostering a sense of community.
Hydroponic systems can be easily scaled up or down depending on the food bank’s needs and resources. Many systems offer easy options to link systems together to produce more fresh food at a faster pace.
At Fork Farms, we’re incredibly proud to partner with such an impactful organization as nOURish BRIDGEPORT, which is making a meaningful difference in its community and beyond. Through our partnerships, we are constantly striving to provide more people with access to fresh food. To learn more about how we can collaborate with your community, please contact us or visit ForkFarms.com.