Food Desert Solution

Food deserts are plaguing the Black community nationwide. While talks of community gardens are great, they take considerable manpower and time to begin and maintain. 

Our solution: 

Work with local churches and organizations within the Black community to provide the resources for indoor gardens to the most vulnerable. The supplies to get started will cost $50-$70 and with technology we no longer need land or outdoor space. 

Pros:  

• It helps those in need become self-sufficient, with less reliance on a grocery store for fresh produce. 

• It can be easily replicated due to the low cost of initial supplies. 

• Members of this project can work together to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables and trade these items. 

• Can provide a hobby to the elderly and a learning experience for the youth in addition to food. 

• Can be done indoors or on a patio of an apartment if gardening space isn't available. Oversight is limited and the community trading is not a guarantee. 

Items needed to get started: 

Grow Lights. You can purchase a grow light stand with 5 heads for larger coverage for ~$34.99 on Amazon. This 

will allow plants to grow even indoors and provides UV for every plant stage from germination to flowering. 

Potato Grow Bags. These are not only for potatoes, but they can also be used for any indoor gardening need. 

~$16.99 for a 4 pack 

Soil, seeds, etc, but this is the easy part. Food like potatoes can be grown from other potatoes. 

Personal Success: 

I had this idea after having remarkable success using smaller grow lights for my small garden I began in my 

bedroom. I have room darkening curtains, so I worried about the plants getting the sunshine needed. I purchased 2 

smaller grow lights, 5 small pots, and seeds. Every seed I planted has sprouted and grown quickly. For reference, 

pictured below are snap beans I planted February 4, 2023. February 17, 2023 pictured below.