H.O.P.E. of Winston-Salem, a nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity in Forsyth County, is facing a potential setback as its contract for a city-owned greenhouse nears expiration. The organization, which has been instrumental in providing fresh produce to over 500 families weekly, is at risk of losing a key resource in its fight against food deserts.
Executive Director Scott Best said, "Each weekend, we assemble about 1,500 meals for kids, and we bag and box up about 2,500 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables for families. And we do a mobile distribution on Saturdays and Sundays."
The Kimberley Park Hydroponic Farm, a significant contributor to these efforts, has been under H.O.P.E.'s management since 2023. However, the nonprofit's two-year contract with the city is set to expire this month, on June 30. While H.O.P.E. requested a three-year extension, the city offered only a one-year extension. Best expressed concerns, stating, "That just doesn't really fit very well with the type of project and the type of agricultural project that it is."
The city has reportedly asked H.O.P.E. to begin generating revenue from the hydroponic farm by early May, a move that Best said does not align with the organization's mission. "We were a bit stunned by that. And unfortunately, that doesn't fit within our mission," he said.
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