Tag: hydroponics

The Vertical Farm is one of the core programs of GlobalMedic’s Grassroots Revolution. In response to growing rates of food insecurity, GlobalMedic launched the McAntony’s Menu program to increase the availability of nutritious pantry goods in the food assistance system. The need for fresh produce is also immense and we therefore established a vertical farm using hydroponic technology to grow fresh produce quickly, sustainably, and at a heavily discounted price point.

The Needs

Fresh produce is a key part of a healthy diet. While there is an abundance of fresh produce in grocery stores, it can often be expensive, especially in Canada where the growing season is shorter than other places. Stores rely on imports to support customer demand throughout the year, driving up the cost of produce, and reducing the freshness. This year with rates of inflation soaring, prices on basic items like fresh produce have increased by 10%. For those who were already struggling to include a variety of fresh items in their diets, this increase has put these items even further out of reach.

Our Solution

Like all our programs, the Vertical Farm leverages volunteer manpower, GlobalMedic’s buying power, and logistics efficiency to maximize the output. For every $1 invested into the program we can grow and distribute $6 worth of microgreens to our food bank partners.

Hydroponic farming is incredibly efficient using significantly less space, up to 10 times less water, and with 30-50% faster growth than traditional farming methods. It also allows us to grow year round providing a constant supply of fresh produce.

The farm currently grows microgreens, which are incredibly nutrient dense. Microgreens contain up to 40 times as many nutrients as their more mature counterparts. They also take less time to grow. Each week volunteers harvest and pack up the microgreens for distribution to our food bank partners. They use them for preparing meals for their clients as well as for grocery distribution. The program allows them to consistently provide their clients with this urgently needed fresh produce.

The farm creates interesting volunteer opportunities that allow people to channel their green thumb and tangibly make change in their local community. Every week there are openings to help seed, harvest, package, and maintain the farm.

Our Impact

The Vertical Farm was launched in the summer of 2022 and since then we have distributed the following with our community partners:

The Hygiene Hub is one of the core programs of GlobalMedic’s Grassroots Revolution. In 2020, GlobalMedic began growing its domestic operations and rapidly scaled them up once the pandemic hit Canada. Since then, we have observed a visible demand for hygiene products and cleaning supplies that is not being met by other services.

The Needs

Existing issues like food insecurity and poverty in Canada have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an increased need for food assistance across the country. According to the most recent “Who’s Hungry” Report from the Daily Bread and North York Harvest food banks, the demand for food bank services has skyrocketed in the Greater Toronto Area. Between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, there were a staggering 1.45 million visits to food banks in Toronto, representing a 47% increase over the previous year. Skyrocketing inflation means that the number of families struggling to pay bills is rapidly increasing. In a 2021 survey of food bank visitors, two out of three respondents reported having less than $100 left after paying for housing and utilities each month. 

A major barrier to people struggling with poverty is their hygiene – a lack of access to proper hygiene can reduce self-confidence and increase the marginalization that many are already subject to. When struggling to meet basic needs like food, items like toiletries and cleaning supplies can become less of a priority. However, hygiene items and cleaning supplies are critical in maintaining one’s health and dignity. The cost of items like toiletries and cleaning supplies are rising, but food banks often don’t prioritize them.

Our Solution

To respond to this issue, GlobalMedic has established the Hygiene Hub. This Hub operates much like a food bank, focusing on toiletries and cleaning products instead of food. Our goal with this program is to create easier access to basic hygiene items like deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, diapers, soap and other items. By increasing access and supporting the hygiene needs of people experiencing poverty, we alleviate the burden of having to choose critical items like food over hygiene items.

The hygiene items for this program are generously donated by various stakeholders. GlobalMedic’s experienced staff coordinates the donation of these items and oversees the sorting, organizing, and delivery of the items by our dedicated volunteers. These items are then made available to community organizations helping vulnerable families.

Our volunteers also assemble individual hygiene kits containing full sized items including shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and menstrual hygiene products which are given to shelters, food banks and other support programs to distribute to their clients.

Our Impact

Since 2017 GlobalMedic has been working with community partners to distribute: