Awhile back we did a little reporting on Impact Day, WhiteWave’s first annual all-company volunteer event. Today, we’re pleased to welcome a guest blogger from one of the organizations we supported. Below, Julie Malinsky from Feed Denver talks about the work her organization does in addressing an issue that has only just recently gotten more attention: Food Deserts.
Food Deserts are areas in the city where access to fresh, healthy food is limited. The USDA and Economic Research Service estimates that of all households in the United States, 2.3 million people live more than a mile from a supermarket and do not have access to a vehicle; and an additional 3.2 million people live between one half mile to a mile from a grocer without access to a vehicle. Often these are urban core areas characterized by higher levels of racial segregation and greater income inequality. We all know these areas — stretches of road where concrete meets barbed wire fences and the only brightly colored thing is a blaring Burger King marquee. The people living in these communities often suffer the consequences of economic curtailment, with higher incidences of health problems related to diet, and a lower standard of living based upon their lack of good quality, nutritious food choices.
Many supermarkets and other food retailers simply do not wish to locate in these areas because of the economic risks associated with a lower income population. But rather than re-inventing the capitalist wheel, perhaps the solution lies in a different direction? Feed Denver Urban Farms and Markets is a non-profit with some good ideas on how to address this situation. This spring we received a grant from the City of Denver to locate a small local farm on an unused parking lot in northeast Denver. The farm is located at 42nd and Steele in a neighborhood known as Swansea, which is a classic example of a food desert.
In late May, with the help of about 15 WhiteWave volunteers, the parking lot in Swansea was transformed from derelict to fertile. Nearly 35 yards of compost and mulch was shoveled, pushed, carried, and dumped to create mounds for planting and cool wood paths between the rows of compost. Since then, everything from squash to tomatoes has been planted and the farm is well on its way to becoming vibrant. It will help feed the local residents with affordable fresh organic produce, provide a safe community gathering spot, and it will be used to train local youth and adults on how to farm. The farm will eventually create real jobs and soon will expand its production with the addition of three greenhouses designed and built by Architecture for Humanity. With the addition of the greenhouses, the Feed Denver farm at 42nd and Steele could potentially supply food for hundreds of people year-round; meanwhile, local people will have opportunities to learn and become involved with the project. A market is planned in the coming weeks, and Feed Denver is continuing to provide programs for youth interested in farming. It is a small parking lot with big ideas and an even bigger enthusiasm to change how we think of food equality in the Denver metro area.
Feed Denver’s mission is to create viable urban agriculture in the city. Along the way, we hope to green up some of our urban spaces, provide access to those without, and produce beautiful food and spaces along the way. Feed Denver is a regional training center for McArthur Genius Grant award winner Will Allen of Milwaukee’s Growing Power. You can explore more at www.Feeddenver.com, www.feeddenver.blogspot.com, or www.growingpower.org.
Julie Malinsky is Feed Denver’s Jill of all trades and a blossoming writer; www.hapticityandcitizen.blogspot.com
mail- fb
- tw