By WKTV Staff
Kids’ Food Basket hosted an official naming ceremony and groundbreaking on Wednesday, Oct. 11, officially kick off the construction of the new organization’s home at the former Pickerd Farm, 1919 Leonard St. NE. Founding CEO, Bridget Clark Whitney welcomed more than 100 guests, including community leaders Hank Meijer, Executive Chairman Meijer and Honorary Co-Chair; Joe Jones, 2nd Ward Commissioner City of Grand Rapids and Campaign Cabinet Member; and Dave Hildenbrand, Senator – State of Michigan.
To mark the occasion, the organization unveiled the farm name, Kids’ Food Basket Farm Strengthened by Nutrilite Exclusively by Amway. The name was selected in honor of Nutrilite’s monetary support, volunteer support, and shared methodologies on the farm. A portion of the acreage on the future Kids’ Food Basket site is used to educate youth and adults alike on the immense value of nutrition through innovative programs and experiential learning.
“We are so thankful for the dedication of our community! The Kids’ Food Basket future home will meet both an immediate need and make long term impact. This beautiful, centennial farm has provided a space, in the middle of Grand Rapids, to launch an urban farming and experiential learning program. Here we can put down our roots and directly connect kids experiencing hunger to a greater understanding of healthy food, helping them create healthy habits life-long.,” said Clark Whitney.
In the second year working on the chemical-free, sustainable farm, the harvest has yielded more than 10,000 pounds of fresh sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, string beans, tomatillos, and mini bell peppers. In addition, the farm has allowed the opportunity to welcome more than 40 groups, totaling approximately 1,000 youth and adult volunteers. The community has engaged in and learned about food production, tending to crops and preparing produce to go in Sack Suppers.
“We couldn’t be more excited about our partnership with Kids’ Food Basket and this new urban farm,” said Michelle Meulendyk of Amway Community Relations. “It has been and will continue to be a way for us to extend the expertise of our Nutrilite farming practices and staff right here in Grand Rapids.”
In addition to the farm, the site will be the home to a new Kids’ Food Basket production facility. Orion Construction will build a 27,000 square foot, two-story building that will house corporate office space and warehouse space on 15-acre site. The building will be constructed using the LEED (Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design) framework and upon completion, will be LEED certified. Within the design are elements such as natural light maximization, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, caulks, adhesives, and floor coverings, alternative vehicle considerations, and several other features that provide elements of sustainability. Additional greenhouses and farm-support structures are included in the projects that create on-site learning opportunities.
“Kids’ Food Basket’s future location will allow for expanded nutritional programming and increased access to healthy nourishing food for our community’s children. We’re thankful for the communities continued dedication. We must do more. We are asking our community to rally together and join Kids’ Food Basket’s mission of nourishing kids so they can be their best in school and in life,” Whitney said.
Kids’ Food Basket services in a number of schools in the Greater Grand Rapids area including schools in the Kentwood, Godfrey-Lee, Godwin Heights and Wyoming Public School Districts.
