Spinach and Swiss chard is being grown in the greenhouses as Reed's Farm.
A film festival and fundraiser will be held at an Egg Harbor Township farm operated by a well-known Margate restaurant owner.
A Meaningful Purpose at Reeds Farm is operated by Cookie Till, owner of Steve and Cookies.
The farm on Spruce Avenue in the township's Cardiff section will host “For the Love of Local Food” from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday.
The fundraising event includes some small bites, mocktails and herbal drinks, but more importantly will focus on efforts being made to reduce food insecurity in Atlantic City, which lacks adequate food shopping and access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
The film festival is a collaboration between Reeds Farm, CROPS (Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces) and Coastal Cousins, which seeks to expand access to heritage crops of the West African and Caribbean diaspora, to address food justice in Atlantic City and beyond, Till said.
The event includes screening of two short films on the work of CROPS and Coastal Cousins, and will screen clips about Reeds Farm that were created by communication students at Stockton University.
Jeff Tkach, of Rodale Institute of Kutztown, Penn., will moderate a question and answer period following the screenings.
“We just got our first influx of funding from a grant approved by the NJ Economic Development Authority and thought this would be a good time to talk about our plans for food justice in Atlantic City,” Till said. “Our work in Atlantic City is just a starting point for people working together on food insecurity. It’s going to be an economic driver as well as improve the health of city residents. We’re starting in Atlantic City, but its really just the beginning.”
The NJEDA offered local organizations a share of the state’s $5.25 million allotment of funding from the American Rescue Plan for projects that provide Atlantic City residents with access to fresh, affordable, healthy food in advance of the construction of a supermarket, while simultaneously increasing employment opportunities.
Local efforts to improve access to healthy foods involve all aspects of the community, including children, adults and senior citizens Till said.
“This the first time I’ve seen in Atlantic City where all people are working together to solve an issue,” she said. “We’re looking forward to a good turnout of interested individuals to help us build on the work we’re doing in Atlantic City.”
According to the NJEDA website, food insecurity impacts all racial and ethnic groups and geographic regions. Communities that lack traditional grocery stores have high concentrations of unhealthy food options and higher rates of chronic diseases. Nearly one-in-10 children experience food insecurity in New Jersey, which has a negative impact on physical and mental health and academic achievement now and in the future.
Atlantic City is ranked second statewide behind areas in Camden for being a “food desert,” which indicates low access to healthy fresh foods available at supermarkets and local stores.
Tickets for the fundraising event are $50.
