Governor Kathy Hochul 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.
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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.
“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 and 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 to house, manage food production and support distribution to the community.
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. ■
A very active and complex mid-May weather pattern is set to produce numerous areas of severe weather, heavy rain, high winds, and anomalous temperatures through this weekend.