Fighting hunger with FarmBox

As part of our ministry-wide initiative to improve food security and increase access to healthy, affordable food produced by and for urban communities, we are proud to own and help operate three FarmBox food containers across our flourishing communities.

What is FarmBox?

FarmBox is a vertical hydroponic container farm that maximizes growing space and minimizes energy and water usage. Each FarmBox container farm grows an assortment of leafy greens and has a climate-controlled, year-round growing season

Access to healthy foods is a cornerstone of leading a healthy life. According to Hunger Free Colorado, in April 2021, as many as one in three Coloradans were facing hunger. Food Research Action Center has also found that 60% of American adults will live below poverty level for at least one year during their lifetime.

With our FarmBox food containers, we are fighting back against hunger by partnering with neighborhoods and local organizations to connect families to much-needed fresh food, new agricultural technology and job skills.

	The FarmBox technology offers a unique solution to climate challenges and affordable land access in Colorado. By demonstrating this model, inviting community in to gain skills, and making the fresh local produce available in our neighborhoods, we can address both immediate hunger and it’s root causes.
	-Jessica Church, Food Security Initiatives Director

Quick FarmBox facts

Each farm can yield 200-300 pounds of healthy produce a week.
Each farm is only 320 square feet and can produce the equivalent of 2.5 acres of farmland every year.
Only 3-5 gallons of water is used by each container farm per day.

Our FarmBox locations
FarmBox food container farms are strategically placed in areas where fresh produce may not always be available. The container farms will serve communities where research shows that residents may experience health and economic challenges like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, rising costs of housing and limited access to healthy food more than the average community.

Denver, CO at the National Western Center: You may remember that this FarmBox was part of the National Western Stock Show in January! Located at the National Western Center, this FarmBox will be operated in partnership with Focus Points Family Resource Center’s urban agriculture workforce development program, Huerta Urbana and Colorado State University campus researchers. Food from the container farm will be distributed to the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea (GES) communities in Denver.
Sedalia, CO at the FarmBox Foods headquarters: This container farm is operated by the folks at FarmBox Foods and this unit provides fresh produce to our south Denver Metro area sites. It also serves as a research and demonstration unit!
Pueblo, CO at St. Mary Corwin Hospital: Newly operated by our first hydroponic farmer, Bob Frederick, the produce from this farm will serve those in the Pueblo community, with plans to provide community education and workforce development opportunities in the future.

We are honored to fight back against hunger through our partnership with FarmBox, local organizations and neighborhoods – supporting the whole health of the communities we serve.

Questions?
Please contact Jessica Church, Food Security Initiatives Director, at JessicaChurch@Centura.org.

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