How a fresh produce donation to Saskatoon food bank came courtesy of 'space-age farming'

A Saskatoon urban farm is addressing food security issues by giving back to the community and donating fresh produce to a local food bank. “This is a unique and innovative opportunity for us to give back to the Saskatoon community," Bailey Fischl, president and CEO of Pure Roots Urban Farms, said in a media release.

Pure Roots Urban Farms announced last month that it will be donating all fresh produce to the Saskatoon Food Bank that is currently being grown in the Farm Boys Design Corp. research and development unit operating at Innovation Place. Farm Boys is a company that designs enclosed growing systems, called AeroPods, to enable people to grow produce. The company bills its system as "space-age farming".

In the release, Fischl said the first crop of produce was delivered to the Saskatoon Food Bank on May 20, following eight weeks of coordination and growing. 'I'm amazed': 3D printed sewing machine parts help Sask. senior get back to knitting for homeless
The first harvest weighed in at 28 pounds of mixed leafy greens, according to Fischl, who expects the donation to average 30 pounds per week as more plants come into production.

Deborah Hamp, director of operations and engagement at the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre said in the release that this donation will help the food bank provide nutritious food to people who need it most.