2Gether We Eat, a new youth-focused nonprofit in the city, seeks to address issues of "food deserts" and food insecurity here in Worcester through promoting hydroponic farming.
Co-founder Charles Luster spoke to the City Council this week about the possibility of forging a partnership to encourage hydroponic farming while proving STEM educational opportunities through a partnership with the city's Recreation Worcester summer program.
It's one of several fronts Luster said 2Gether We Grow is working on ahead of a planned March startup. He said the organization has lined up partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club and the YWCA, and is in talks with other organizations about future initiatives, including intergenerational programs.
In an interview Friday, Luster said the produce grown will be donated back to the partner organizations. He said growing up in Flint, Michigan, he remembers farmers helping each other. The greens grower would share with the tomato grower, and vice versa. "In the country we share our crops," Luster said.
"People are going into local stores where there are no fresh fruits and vegetables," Luster said. "With us being in community, we get to be part of that solution. We understand you can't go out and buy spinach, chard, collard greens, we can give back everything we grow, we give you knowledge as well as fresh produce."
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