New hydroponic garden in Kingston to grow food for Partners in Mission

Growcer is partnering with the food bank, the City, Modern Niagara, and RBC Foundation on this initiative.

There is a new modular vertical farm in Kingston that is helping grow fresh food for the food bank.

Growcer is a company that uses hydroponic technology to grow fresh vegetables in communities where food costs are high.

Co-founder Corey Ellis tells us what sets them apart from other companies.

They began in 2015 as a way to help Canadians in northern communities who don't have the resources to grow their own food.

Ellis says he was first approached by City Councillor Conny Glenn a couple of years ago about establishing an operation in Kingston.

Growcer was able to attract the City of Kingston, Modern Niagara, Partners in Mission Food Bank, and the RBC Foundation in partnering to bring this method of growing food to the Limestone City.

Glenn, Mayor Bryan Patterson, Councillor Paul Chaves, Dan Irwin of Partners in Mission Food Bank, Andrew Crease from Modern Niagara, and Melissa Doyle from the RBC Foundation were on hand for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Modern Niagara on Monday. 

All the food grown at the facility will be delivered to Partners in Mission. In the nine months since their first harvest, Growcer has delivered 3,900 pounds of vegetables to the food bank.

Irwin says it is great to see this technology being put to use to help needy families.

The City is putting in $80,000 from their Fines for Food program to fund this initative.

Ellis hopes this will bring a long-term solution to food insecurity in Kingston.

Story by Ken Hashizume