New greenhouses make south Lansing community garden a year-round operation
“That’s just hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and meals that can address food insecurity,” said Michelle Lantz,
By Elena Durnbaugh
Lansing State Journal
Sept 28, 2021
Excerpt:
The greenhouse alone will account for approximately 140,000 vegetable transplants every year between February and May. That translates to 70,000 to 112,000 pounds of food valued at $140,000 to $224,000.
The greenhouse, built with a grant from the Ingham County Innovation Fund, will allow local gardeners to start their plants earlier, during the winter months. Gardeners can reserve plots and choose how much of their food they take home versus donate.
The 2,880-square-foot hoop house, built with the South Lansing Community Development Association using funds from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, is the second hoop house at the garden and will be used exclusively to grow food for donation.
“The biggest part of it is that the amount of meals that you can generate and put back into the community affects food insecurity rates,” Lantz said.
