For this week’s TC Spotlight, we decided to keep the outdoor summer theme and shine a spotlight on the ever-growing urban agriculture movement in the Twin Cities.
Urban agriculture comes in various forms and benefits urban communities in many ways. Urban farms provide fresh local food sources and economic development, and they create a space for social interaction, neighborhood beautification, and engagement. Below we’ve highlight just a few of the many organizations that specialize in urban agriculture and how you can support them. Feel free to use the comment section to chime in on your favorite sources of local produce and all things urban agriculture.
Related articles and info:
- Twin Cities Farmers want city officials to do more for urban farms
- Miracles Can Happen Celebrates Launch of Giving Garden north Minneapolis
- Community Garden Day, September 13
128 West 33rd Street, Suite 2, Minneapolis, MN 55408 | 612-872-4226
Youth Farm specializes in youth development and leadership through the cultivation and selling of food in five communities in the Twin Cities. Youth Farm is a non-profit organization offering year-round programs, meeting participants at their level of development and challenging and growing with them.
To gain a better understanding of Youth Farm and the programs it offers the communities, come on out to the annual Neighborhood Harvest Festivals taking place in each of the five neighborhood location this week. The festivals include a free community meal, performances, participant recognition, and more. Additionally, from Aug. 12 to Sept. 2, each time you order a dish from Big Bowl’s Summer Harvest Menu, at one of their Minnesota locations, Big Bowl and FreeBird Chicken will donate $1 to Youth Farm.
Stone’s Throw Urban Farm2216 Elliot Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55404 | (612) 454-0585
Stone’s Throw Urban Farm is a small urban agriculture business that transforms vacant city spaces in the Twin Cities into sustainable micro-farms. Through a partnership of six farmers, Stone’s Throw Urban Farm aims to create a self-reliant local economy and provide healthy eating options for urban communities. In addition to its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, Stone’s Throw produce is sold at France 44 Cheese Shop, The St. Paul Cheese Shop, Ngon Vietnamese Bistro, Crema Café, Tilia, Foxy Falafel and The Gray House. You can also find Stone’s Throw produce at the Mill City Market, which runs each Saturday from May to October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit this link for more ways to support Stone’s Throw Urban Farm.
(Photo courtesy of Stone’s Throw Urban Farm)
Growing Lots Urban Farm1915 22nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55404 | 612-564-8524
Growing Lots Urban Farm is a two-acre CSA program and market farm that rests on the formerly vacant urban lots in the Seward community in south Minneapolis.
Growing Lots has Fall Shares available for purchase, and offers fresh produce and flowers at the Tiny Diner Market Thursday evenings 4 p.m. – 7:30pm, and at the main site’s farm stand, open to the public, Wednesday evenings 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
You can also offer your support through Growing Lots Share-a-Share program, a partnership with the Brian Coyle food shelf that provides weekly food offerings to families in need through donations. Go here to learn about other opportunities to support Growing Lots.
(Photo courtesy of Growing Lots Urban Farm)
Project Sweetie Pie1418 Oliver Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411 | 763-227-4881
Project Sweetie Pie is a nonprofit organization that aims to revitalize North Minneapolis by training and employing young people to plant and grow food in scattered gardens in the city. Through the hands-on cultivation of urban farmland, Project Sweetie Pie participants gain experience assisting in the economic development of their neighborhoods as producers in the local economy.
In addition to donations, you can support Project Sweetie Pie at the West Broadway Farmers Market on from Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., June through October. Other upcoming events include container gardening demonstrations, an appearance at Open Streets – Lowry Avenue, and an InterFaith Gardening event, September 6.
(Photo by Paige Elliott)
Updated 8/14/2014 6:05 p.m.
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