Since 2005, Reach Within, a Grenadian charity, has supported the well-being of thousands of our island’s most vulnerable children and teens living in residential care homes and foster care.
With support from the Sandals Foundation, Irish Aid, and Fork Farms, and in collaboration with New Life Organisation (NEWLO), over 100 Grenadian youth will learn about hydroponic farming and grow hydroponic produce. Currently, 26 youth living in residential care homes on the island have taken part in an initial pilot phase, where they have developed skills in seeding, cultivating and harvesting hydroponic vegetables.
In addition to hydroponic farming, for the past 4 years, Reach Within has implemented and managed gardens in 3 of Grenada’s residential care homes for young people who are under the care of the Child Protection Authority (CPA). Care home gardens give residents and staff the opportunity to learn how to grow fresh produce, and caregivers can harvest fruits and vegetables directly from the garden to prepare fresh, nutritious meals for residents.
Tamara Courtney, Manager of Dorothy Hopkins Home for the Disabled, shared that “Gardening is going good; it’s very handy. The garden is our best accomplishment as it relates to food security and sustainability here at the home. Even in the absence of Melvaughn Coutain (Reach Within Garden Programme Specialist), myself or another resident ensure that we care for it.” With the support of Reach Within and Dorothy Hopkins staff, the home is growing pumpkin, callaloo, cassava, ginger, sweet corn, cauliflower, broccoli, beets, tomatoes, purple cabbage, pineapple, cucumbers, bell peppers and seasonings.
Hydroponic farming. Photo: Reach Within
As global warming increases the occurrence of extreme weather events such as hurricanes and droughts, sustainable farming methods like hydroponic farming are essential to the future of agriculture and food security. Hydroponic farming requires 98% less water compared to traditional farming and can yield a greater amount of fresh produce in a small space and be grown nearly anywhere (Fork Farms, 2024).
In Grenada, 70% of food is imported, contributing to high food prices and a high dependency on external systems (Ministry of Climate, Resilience, The Environment & Renewable Energy, n.d). A high level of imported food also contributes to increased spending and decreased access to nutritious foods, often resulting in obesity and other noncommunicable diseases (Oladele et al., 2022).
Investing in young people and their ability to grow food is an investment in Grenada’s future. Initiatives supporting the next generation with skills and knowledge for food security are critical as we see an increased number of extreme weather events, price fluctuations in global markets, and a limited number of youth employment opportunities.
Since 2005, Reach Within has been dedicated to improving the well-being of young people in Grenada. Beginning with the rebuilding of schools and the delivery of trauma care programmes following Hurricanes Ivan and Emily, our work has evolved to meet the ongoing needs of vulnerable youth. Today, in partnership with the Child Protection Authority, we provide evidence-based trauma healing programmes for at-risk children and teens in residential care, foster homes, and those facing homelessness after ageing out of the system.
Reach Within
References
Fork Farms Team. “The Community Impact of a Hydroponic Farm.” Fork Farms, 15 Jan. 2024, www.forkfarms.com/blog/the-positive-impact-of-hydroponic-farming-on-community.
Oladele, Carol R., et al. “Perceptions of the Local Food Environment and Fruit and Vegetable Intake in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 26, Feb. 2022, p. 101694, doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101694.
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