Growing Home brings 'farm to table' experience to Englewood pantry

August 12, 2021

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Food Pantries & Food Programs, Hunger in Chicago, Video

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By Megan Bennett

In partnership with the Food Depository, Growing Home urban farm supplies households in need with fresh, locally-grown produce. Starting this summer, the Englewood-based, organic farm makes weekly deliveries of nutritious greens to the nearby food pantry at The Salvation Army Red Shield Center. Guests are able to pick from a selection of kale, chard, and other available greens that were grown and harvested just blocks away.

"By us being able to provide the produce, which usually have a short shelf life, we can process today and deliver tomorrow," said Growing Home executive director Janelle St. John. "Really, really farm-to-table experience we're offering our community."

Growing Home production assistant NAME TK washes produce before it is packed and ready for delivery.

A production assistant in Growing Home's Employment Training Program washes produce before it is packed and ready for delivery.

The goal of the partnership is to not only expand options for those facing food insecurity, but to also introduce households to healthy foods they may not have tried before. "The health impact is what's important to me," said Robert Davenport, TSA Red Shield's emergency assistance case manager and food pantry coordinator. "Because healthier people do better." Learn more about the Food Depository's programs and partnerships