Over a six-month project period, GROW2ZERO farms will collect and RE-package 50,000 pounds of rescued food as well as grow and distribute an additional 10,000 pounds of organic produce grown at its…

Over a six-month project period, GROW2ZERO farms will collect and RE-package 50,000 pounds of rescued food as well as grow and distribute an additional 10,000 pounds of organic produce grown at its urban farm in west long beach. The project will target homebound households and individuals, those adversely impacted by social and environmental impacts resulting from covid-19, as well as the pollution from the port of long beach and several local refineries. The project will reduce the impacts of methane associated with food disposal and serve to sequester GHG emissions from the local neighborhood. The project will provide at least 2600 crates of fresh food through both distribution and direct door-to-door delivery to participating families. Additionally, the project will host 8 webinars, or workshops, focused on composting, food waste reduction, food preparation, organic gardening and non-toxic pest control practices to help reduce household waste and pollution, provide access to nutritious food, and encourage healthy food habits. The project purpose is to alleviate food insecurity in disadvantaged communities, while preventing food waste; an important climate mitigation strategy. This agreement provides full federal funding of $74,763.00. Pre-award costs have been approved back to february 1, 2022. Activities: overall, GROW2ZERO farms will collect and RE-package 50,000 pounds of rescued food as well as grow and distribute an additional 10,000 pounds of organic produce grown at its urban farm in west long beach. Some specific activities include: ● creating weekly food preparation and food waste reduction tip sheets ● creating program survey/participant sign-up tools ● preparing weekly food order forms ● planting seeds and seedlings throughout the entire ¼ acre lot, plus fenceline ● fertilizing and watering crops ● rotating crops and ensuring adequate food supply throughout the duration of the project ● harvesting food for distribution three days per week (10,000 pounds over grant term) ● composting returned food scraps ● coordinating collection of rescued food from food recovery agencies and edible food generators (50,000 pounds over grant) ● picking up used crates from vallarta supermarket and cleaning and sanitizing them prior to reuse ● washing and prepping harvested produce ● distributing food at weekly farm-site events (approximately 60 per week) ● delivering food to home-bound participants (approximately 40 per week) ● picking-up returned crates and food scraps ● hosting eight educational webinars or workshops outcomes: the outputs of this project are: ● redistribute 50,000 pounds of edible food bound for landfill ● grow and deliver 10,000 pounds of organic produce ● serve at least 200 different households over the term of the grant ● distribute 2600 meal crates ● collect and compost 1000 pounds of residual food scraps from the homes served ● share weekly food waste reduction tips to all participating families ● offer 8 virtual and in person food waste reduction and composting workshops serving at least 200 participants the outcomes of this project are: ● increase local food access and reduce food scarcity ● build partnerships with the city and other local nonprofits ● build pathway for long-term food recovery and redistribution ● expand farm to one additional local site at the century villages at cabrillo ● open up community compost hub at farm subrecipient: no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.