Sunshine Food Project on Mission to Feed Neighbors
As I was walking my dogs in our beautiful neighborhood, I noticed numerous signs posted around, claiming to have found an eggplant. It read, “FOUND! Fresh produce in North Park Hill.”
Aleece Raw and her team of volunteers are at the core of this food justice movement. The Sunshine Food Project is a nonprofit community collaborative seeking to provide sustainable food systems to those who lack access to fresh food in North Park Hill and the surrounding food desert neighborhoods.
Raw is one part grassroots, one part revolutionary, many parts foodie, many parts gardener – all comprising a dynamic and vision-oriented soul who is on a mission to feed people locally grown and organic produce. Ultimately, the Sunshine Food Project aims to have at least one “veggie mobile” that delivers freshly grown, local and organic produce.
We sat down recently to discuss her passion and dedication to the sustainable food movement. “In 20 years, why can’t we have lower grocery bills?” Raw asked. “People can grow their own food. They can grow enough for multiple families. Why can’t the world be like that? It can!” She concedes, however, that education is an essential component to the movement. For example, the target demographic of the Sunshine Food Project generally knows their vegetables, but sometimes they have no idea how to prepare it.
ROOTS: How was the Sunshine Food Project born?
RAW: Last August, we had such a wonderful harvest. We offered to donate to the Park Hill Food Pantry and were turned away because the folks that come in aren’t privy to preparing fresh foods. All of this fresh produce, and no one was there to use it. After talking with some volunteers and community-oriented folks, we decided to change that. Why not get fresh food to those that need it most?
ROOTS: How did you come upon the idea of a “veggie mobile”?
RAW: After researching an effective way of actually getting the produce to people, we found out that many “Harvest Mobiles” are popping up, especially in popular European and North American cities. Our veggie mobile is inspired by one in Maine and our bicycle design is inspired by a mobile farm stand in Boston.
ROOTS: What is the long-term impact of the project?
RAW: We will be providing low-income residents with healthy, affordable, fresh produce that use sustainable and organic methods. It will bring folks together – from neighborhood organizations to local foodies, to local greenhouse growers. Ideally, there is a fleet of veggie mobiles traveling the neighborhoods. Part of the Sunshine Food Project’s fundraising pitch is, “Imagine visiting the fresh food farm stand when picking up your child after school, or getting excited when you hear the bell of the ‘Harvest Mobile’ approaching your block instead of the ice cream truck.” We want people to be empowered by food – knowing how to identify it and prepare it.
ROOTS: How do you get all of the farm fresh produce?
RAW: Volunteers are at the core of this project. We have begun conversations with larger growers – farmers and greenhouse growers – to perhaps partner with us. Whether it is donations from a few of their crops or space in a greenhouse, or sourcing directly from them, the conversation has started. We are in the beginning stages of fostering relationships with various folks and they seem open and welcoming to the idea.
ROOTS: What is your biggest challenge to make the veggie mobile a reality?
RAW: Our biggest area of need right now is financing. Our goal is to be delivering produce this next growing season. The bike needs to be built. Money needs to be raised. We have communicated with folks in other states that have attempted the veggie mobile and problems arose. The people involved in the nation-wide movement are eager and happy to assist us, letting us know what to do and what not to do.
Marne Norquist is a professional horticulturist with 13 years of experience designing and installing gardens. A native of Park Hill, she cultivates a plot on Dexter Street, where gardens – edible and ornamental – and two kids grow. She can be reached at marnenorquist@gmail.com.