Greens for Those in Need
Gulfport Farmer to Use Shipping Containers for Nonprofit Farm Gulfport-based small-time grower Brendan Hart is looking for space to put shipping container gardens ripe with microgreens, and it’s all going to local food banks and donation spots in the name of his nonprofit, The Florida Hunger Project. Hart began working in vegetable farming in 2008, while living in San Francisco. The 42-year-old Massachusetts native was working with a buddy, growing lettuce as a part-time gig in those days. Now, he’s in the process of launching The Florida Hunger Project, combining unconventional farming with a local need for donated foods. The sole problem is finding a chunk of space to place the 40 by 10 foot containers. Hart has the plans and the nonprofit status, but the space has yet to come together. “Most people have no idea how many people around us are feeling food insecurity,” Hart said. In Pinellas County, that’s 73,369 people – nearly 13% of residents – according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap interactive study, which debuted in September of 2020. “Even those that are employed, two jobs may not be enough to cover groceries,” Hart said. “It
BRENDAN HART
By Abby Baker
Brendan Hart is searching for a space to plant his shipping containers that will eventually house microgreens, sprouts and other edible greeneries as part of his nonprofit, The Florida Hunger Project.
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