A group of middle school students in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has reportedly found a possible solution to the problem of food deserts—neighborhoods in mostly urban areas that suffer from a lack of produce and grocery stores that carry healthy food options.
According to local NBC affiliate TMJ-4, Hillel Academy seventh-grade students developed a new way to grow one’s own produce in a small amount of space, using a small container and a robot to water the mini-garden.
Is something like this a real solution to the food desert problem in U.S. cities? Probably not, but it’s an innovative idea from a group of young people—and definitely a step in the right direction.
Milwaukee is actually somewhat of a leader in this space. It’s home to Growing Power, which has done some great things in the community food system movement over the past two-plus decades.
Twin Cities Public Health 