Urban Farms in 'Food Deserts'

Kraft Helps Plant Urban Farms in 'Food Deserts'

April 14, 2011 - The Home Depot Foundation helps build greener communities in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Planters sponsors peanut-shaped groves to create community gardens on disused urban plots. Kraft Foods' contribution to greener communities, through the home farming initiative of its Triscuit brand, is working with the nonprofit group Urban Farming to bring farm projects to U.S. cities.

Triscuit began its home farming campaign last year by "seeding" 50 community farms. This year the drive will add another 15 community-based farms to its roster, including five in low-income neighborhoods where access to fresh produce is limited.

"It makes sense to go to places that have the greatest needs," said Jim Low, senior director of marketing for Triscuit at Kraft Foods. The five farms are intended for areas that are located "if not literally in 'food deserts,' in areas where the community does not have the access to fresh produce that they feel they ought to have," Low said. {continued}