nOURish INDOOR FARM, Connecticut’s FIRST NON PROFIT Indoor Hydroponic Farm, was born out of the sobering fact that the people of Bridgeport have little access to fresh produce, since Bridgeport’s neighborhoods have been declared “food deserts” by the USDA. Our partners at the Connecticut Food Bank (who provide the vast majority of the groceries we give to our neighbors every week) face two main issues when it comes to healthy produce: 1) they get very little to distribute or 2) it is at the end of its lifecycle by the time the Food Bank procures it. Year-round – yes, in Connecticut – we typically receive carrots, onions, and potatoes. Healthy, nutrient dense produce like spinach, swiss chard, various lettuces, arugula, basil, tomatoes, green beans etc. are few and far between in our weekly Food Bank pick-ups.
So we listened to our neighbors in need and decided to do something about it.
Our Indoor Farm grows vegetables and fruits 365 days/year, 24 hours/day, using only water, light, and nutrients. NO DIRT. NO PESTICIDES.
We use 4 growing modalities in our Indoor Farm: A freight farm, fork farms, dutch bucket systems, and, our new Flex acre.
Currently, the fresh produce grown in nOURish INDOOR FARM is being distributed to Bridgeport Public Schools, other pantries/soup kitchens, and other direct-service based organizations in the Bridgeport area.
TRANSFORMING THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM – TRANSFORMING HEALTH
nOURish BRIDGEPORT is proud to create the first NON-PROFIT Indoor Hydroponic Farm in Connecticut, but we do not want to be the last. The reality that food can be grown in an urban food desert 365 days/year, 24 hours/day is transformational in agriculture. We hope that our vision will take hold and help transform the food distribution system as well.
There are many FOR-PROFIT Hydroponic Farm efforts, but the vegetables grown are then typically taken to the affluent cities and sold at wealthy village’s farmers market. nOURish recognizes this maintains the current food distribution system: the people with means have access to the healthiest food, while the people who struggle have the least access to healthy food. They pay the price with the quality of their life and health.
SOBERING STATISTIC: For someone who lives in Bridgeport, the average age at death is 60. For someone who lives in Westport, the average age at death is 79.
nOURish wants to help change this statistic. We seek to open the accessibility door for people of Bridgeport who struggle with food security by not only GROWING FOOD in a food desert – but DISTRIBUTING IT to the people who need it most.
It’s your turn!
nOURish BRIDGEPORT, Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. We are fully funded by foundations, grants, and individuals like you. Thank you! Click here to discuss planned giving with our CEO.
Tours are on a LIMITED, appointment only basis. Click here to submit an inquiry.