Large portions of Jackson have been considered food deserts for years, leaving many residents with limited access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food options.Now, city leaders are partnering with Mississippi’s largest urban farm in an effort to improve food access, teach residents how to grow their own food, and find new uses for vacant city properties.The Jackson City Council unanimously approved the partnership Tuesday between the city, Jackson’s Fresh Collective, and Foot Print Farms.The agreement comes at no cost to the city and focuses on creating new opportunities to address food insecurity across Jackson.“We are trying to engage in a relationship at no cost, no funding to the city, to think outside the box about how we can reuse vacant city property and vacant parks,” said Pieter Teeuwissen.For years, neighborhoods in south and west Jackson have had fewer options for buying fresh food, forcing some residents to travel miles to find healthier choices.City leaders said the partnership could help change that by using vacant land for community gardens and expanding access to locally grown produce.Dr. Cindy Ayers-Elliott said the mission goes beyond just growing food; it’s about teaching residents how they can become part of the solution.“Part of what we do is train on how we can better serve our community by teaching each other how to grow their own food in their backyards,” Ayers-Elliott said.At Foot Print Farms, the 68-acre property includes livestock, crops, and produce grown for the community, including tomatoes and purple bell peppers.Co-owner LaGrand Elliott said residents do not need a large amount of space to start growing their own food.“You don’t have to have a big farm. You can have a patio and grow out of a coffee can and you can grow vegetables,” Elliott said.Ayers-Elliott said the farm’s goal is to make fresh food more available and affordable for families across Jackson.“We are here to serve with a mission to bring local, fresh, affordable food into our communities,” she said.Foot Print Farms provides agriculture training in person and online while also helping develop plans for turning unused city properties into local gardens.Ayers-Elliott said expansion efforts are already underway, with additional funding planned to grow the operation in Jackson.“We have funds on the books right now of two million dollars to expand right here in Jackson,” she said.City leaders said the goal of the partnership is simple: make healthy food easier to access while giving residents the tools to grow food themselves.
JACKSON, Miss. —
Large portions of Jackson have been considered food deserts for years, leaving many residents with limited access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food options.
Now, city leaders are partnering with Mississippi’s largest urban farm in an effort to improve food access, teach residents how to grow their own food, and find new uses for vacant city properties.
The Jackson City Council unanimously approved the partnership Tuesday between the city, Jackson’s Fresh Collective, and Foot Print Farms.
The agreement comes at no cost to the city and focuses on creating new opportunities to address food insecurity across Jackson.
“We are trying to engage in a relationship at no cost, no funding to the city, to think outside the box about how we can reuse vacant city property and vacant parks,” said Pieter Teeuwissen.
For years, neighborhoods in south and west Jackson have had fewer options for buying fresh food, forcing some residents to travel miles to find healthier choices.
City leaders said the partnership could help change that by using vacant land for community gardens and expanding access to locally grown produce.
Dr. Cindy Ayers-Elliott said the mission goes beyond just growing food; it’s about teaching residents how they can become part of the solution.
“Part of what we do is train on how we can better serve our community by teaching each other how to grow their own food in their backyards,” Ayers-Elliott said.
At Foot Print Farms, the 68-acre property includes livestock, crops, and produce grown for the community, including tomatoes and purple bell peppers.
Co-owner LaGrand Elliott said residents do not need a large amount of space to start growing their own food.
“You don’t have to have a big farm. You can have a patio and grow out of a coffee can and you can grow vegetables,” Elliott said.
Ayers-Elliott said the farm’s goal is to make fresh food more available and affordable for families across Jackson.
“We are here to serve with a mission to bring local, fresh, affordable food into our communities,” she said.
Foot Print Farms provides agriculture training in person and online while also helping develop plans for turning unused city properties into local gardens.
Ayers-Elliott said expansion efforts are already underway, with additional funding planned to grow the operation in Jackson.
“We have funds on the books right now of two million dollars to expand right here in Jackson,” she said.
City leaders said the goal of the partnership is simple: make healthy food easier to access while giving residents the tools to grow food themselves.
Dining and Cooking