Grown in Ivanhoe

A Good Idea

Description

The Grown in Ivanhoe Project is an initiative to address the food insecurity issues in the Ivanhoe and surrounding neighborhood communities of Kansas City, Missouri. Through a combination of education, infrastructure development, experiential learning and systematic environmental changes, the Grown in Ivanhoe project helps to empower many of the residents to grow and sell their own healthy food by creating an equitable and sustainable food system in the urban core.

Goal / Mission

Grown in Ivanhoe strives to achieve a just and equitable food environment in the Ivanhoe community by ensuring that residents have the information and resources needed to provide healthy, affordable foods for themselves and their families.

Impact

Grown in Ivanhoe has increased local food production and established resources for access to healthy foods.

Results / Accomplishments

Between 2010 and 2012, the Grown in Ivanhoe Project achieved many accomplishments, including the creation of the first Ivanhoe Small Growers Farmers Market, a Farm Stand Network, and two micro-agri businesses. During the program, 10% of the Ivanhoe neighborhood population received free and/or low cost pesticide free produce.

Following the program, there is an increase in food production in the neighborhood by residents who are growing food in residential or shared-space gardens. More than three acres of land in the urban core of Ivanhoe were converted from vacant lots or green space to gardens. The culture and reputation of growing food has been established. And the Grown in Ivanhoe "brand" and identity has been recognized locally and nationally.

The Grown in Ivanhoe Projected is funded by a generous grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council
Primary Contact
Dina Newman
3700 Woodland
Kansas City, Mo. 64109
816-921-6611
dnewman@incthrives.org
http://www.incthrives.org
Topics
Economy
Health / Physical Activity
Environmental Health
Organization(s)
The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council
Date of implementation
2010
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Kansas City, MO
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Additional Audience
Urban Residents
Submitted By
Sarah Hurd, Kansas Health Institute