Ugrow Inc

UGROW INC DBA THE FOOD MILL BUILT A COLLABORATIVE OPERATING MODEL THAT INCLUDES AN ECOSYSTEM OF LIKE-MINDED BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS EACH WORKING TO ADDRESS THE INEQUITIES OF THE COLUMBUS, GEORGIA FOOD SYSTEM. THE FOOD MILL REQUESTS AN LFPP IMPLEMENTATION GRANT TO ACTIVATE COMPONENTS OF OUR FOOD AND WELLNESS HUB THAT WILL SUPPORT MARKETS FOR LOCAL PRODUCERS AND SMALL FOOD BUSINESSES AND IMPROVE ACCESS FOR COLUMBUS' FOOD INSECURE. THE PROJECT WILL ACTIVATE TWO NEW SALES CHANNELS FOR LOCAL PRODUCERS THAT WILL INCREASE ACCESS FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS - A FOOD HUB AND INDOOR FARMER'S MARKET OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK AND A MOBILE MARKET. THIS WILL 1). LOCAL PRODUCERS WILL INCREASE PRODUCE SALES, 2). LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THEIR SNAP BENEFITS TO PURCHASE PRODUCE IN AREAS THAT ARE CURRENTLY CONSIDERED FOOD DESERTS; AND 3). RESIDENTS WILL LEARN THE BENEFITS OF SEASONAL BUYING.BUILD OUT A SHARED KITCHEN SPACE THAT WILL STRENGTHEN SMALL FOOD BUSINESSES AND ACCESS TO LOCAL FOOD.THIS WILL 1). SMALL FOOD BUSINESSES WILL BE ABLE TO PLAN FOR GROWTH WITH ACCESS TO A STATE-CERTIFIED KITCHEN; 2). FEEDING AGENCIES WILL BE ABLE TO INCREASE THE PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF PREPARED MEALS; 3). ENTREPRENEURS CAN PARTICIPATE IN CULINARY INCUBATOR CLASSES FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER MENTORING/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; AND 4). RESIDENTS WILL LEARN HOW TO PREPARE SEASONAL PRODUCE.LASTLY, DEVELOP AND EDUCATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOOD ENTREPRENEURS ON PRINCIPLES CONCERNING NUTRITION, HEALTHY EATING, FOOD SAFETY AND FRESH LOCAL FOOD SOURCING THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL. THIS WILL RESULT IN 1). YOUTH WILL LEARN HEALTHY EATING HABITS, PRINCIPLES STRATEGIES OF SOURCING LOCAL FOODS, AND FOOD SAFETY; AND 2). YOUTH WILL LEARN ABOUT FOOD SYSTEM CAREERS THROUGH A HANDS-ON CURRICULUM. 3.) COMMUNITY MEMBERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO SHARED KITCHEN SPACE TO PRODUCE SMALL BUSINESS PRODUCTS AND TESTING FOR RECIPES. FUNDS WILL NOT BE UTILIZED FOR GARDENING OR PRODUCTION RELATED ACTIVITIES, ALTHOUGH STEAM EDUCATION WILL BE INVOLVED IN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT.