Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new indoor food production container to advance urban farming and increase awareness about hydroponic gardening, sustainability and nutrition for underserved New Yorkers in East Buffalo. Supported by the New York Power Authority, the facility will grow vegetables and herbs year-round in an indoor environment—with no soil. Produce will be distributed to the community and the learnings from the low-energy farming methods will help New York State achieve its clean energy goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production.
“We remain committed to addressing food insecurity in East Buffalo and ensuring that the community has access to affordable and healthy food options including fresh fruits and vegetables," Governor Hochul said. “Indoor food production facilities, like this one announced today, make it much easier to grow healthy food options, without soil, all year round, and right in neighborhoods that need increased access the most. I applaud the New York Power Authority, EPRI, Buffalo Go Green and our local partners for making this shipping container and farming programming available to our East Buffalo community to increase access to healthy foods.”
A branded 40-foot shipping container installed at the Buffalo Go Green’s Zenner Street urban farm was celebrated today with EPRI, NeuWater & Associates and Buffalo Center for Health Equity. NYPA’s Environmental Justice Program is collaborating with members of the Buffalo team led by NeuWater and Associates, LLC., to house, manage food production and support distribution to the community. EPRI is including the project in a nationwide research effort about the environmental impact of indoor farming.
NYPA is funding the $300,000 facility branded “Feeding the Roots. Blossoming a community” and “The power of love can grow communities,” and will be launching a slate of community engagement programs on site. Community members, with oversight and direction from Buffalo Go Green, will be able to grow healthy produce and distribute it to those in need. They will learn about hydroponic gardening and gain a broader understanding of the sustainability of local, indoor crop production, including energy and water consumption.
Buffalo Go Green provides services and training to help under-served populations in East Buffalo achieve nutritional success and move toward a sustainable future.
Rita Hubbard-Robinson, a community leader and CEO of NeuWater & Associates LLC, helped organize the effort by bringing together a unique partnership that bridges agriculture research and technology.
The Buffalo Center for Health Equity will own the container farm and offer agricultural community programs. The research aspect is particularly key in helping New York State advance the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which require that greenhouse gas emissions be reduced by 40 percent before 2030 and 85 percent by 2050.
The project is part of NYPA’s outreach through its Environmental Justice program to underserved communities located near its statewide facilities. Additionally motivated by the Tops market tragedy in May 2022, the team committed to developing new resources and programs that meet the unique needs of East Buffalo’s community.
This is the second indoor farming project in Buffalo. The Power Authority partnered with FeedMore in 2020 and since then thousands of pounds of kale and other healthy produce has since been distributed as part of FeedMore’s nutrition program. A similar unit was opened in Harlem last year through a partnership with Harlem Grown, a youth-focused non-profit that leads urban farming and sustainability programs.
The project is part of a multi-state demonstration led by the independent, non-profit energy R&D institute EPRI to study indoor food production impacts on energy and water usage. The Buffalo facility also will look at how to increase crop yields and manage resources, while reducing water consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Kale was chosen as the initial crop because of its high nutrient value and short harvest cycle.
Source: nypa.gov
Photo Credit: gettyimages-valentinrussanov
Categories: New York, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Energy, Sustainable Agriculture