- Provide fresh produce to families in Pontiac: The Fresh Veg program will provide fresh produce to families in Pontiac who are food insecure. This will help to improve their overall health and well-being.
- Create jobs: The project will create jobs in the agricultural sector. This will help to boost the local economy and provide opportunities for people who have been affected by the pandemic.
- Train people in agriculture: The project will train people in agriculture, including sustainable farming practices. This will help to create a more resilient food system and reduce food insecurity in the long term.
- Connect families with resources: The project will connect families with resources and support services in the community, such as food banks, health clinics, and job training programs. This will help to ensure that families have the support they need to recover from the pandemic.
The SLFRF requires that responses to the pandemic must be related and reasonably proportional to the extent and type of harm experienced. The proposed program is designed to address the harm that was exacerbated by the pandemic, while also being reasonably proportional.
The harm that was exacerbated by the pandemic includes:
- Food insecurity: The pandemic led to job losses and increased economic hardship, which made it more difficult for people to afford food. The Fresh Veg program will provide fresh produce to families in Pontiac who are food insecure. This will help to improve their overall health and well-being.
- Economic hardship: The pandemic caused widespread economic hardship in Pontiac. Many businesses were forced to close, and many people lost their jobs. The project will create jobs in the agricultural sector, which will help to boost the local economy and provide opportunities for people who have been affected by the pandemic.
- Health disparities: The pandemic disproportionately affected people of color and low-income people in Pontiac. The farm project will train people in agriculture, including sustainable farming practices. This will help to create a more resilient food system and reduce food insecurity in the long term.
The project is reasonably proportional to the extent and type of harm experienced because it will provide fresh produce to families in Pontiac who are food insecure, create jobs in the agricultural sector, and train people in agriculture. These activities will help to address the harm that was exacerbated by the pandemic and will also help to create a more resilient food system and reduce food insecurity in the long term.
The farm project will assist the community and provide a positive economic impact in a number of ways:
- Increased access to fresh produce: The Fresh Veg program will provide fresh produce to families in Pontiac who are food insecure. This will help to improve their overall health and well-being.
- Creation of jobs: The project will create jobs in the agricultural sector. This will help to boost the local economy and provide opportunities for people who have been affected by the pandemic.
- Training in agriculture: The project will train people in agriculture, including sustainable farming practices. This will help to create a more resilient food system and reduce food insecurity in the long term.
- Community engagement: The project will engage the community in a number of ways, such as through volunteer opportunities and educational programs. This will help to build a stronger community and create a sense of ownership of the project.
The project is expected to have a positive economic impact on the community in a number of ways:
- Increased spending: The Fresh Veg program will increase spending at local grocery stores and farmers markets. This will help to boost the local economy.
- Increased tax revenue: The project will generate tax revenue for the city of Pontiac. This revenue can be used to fund other programs and services that benefit the community.
- Increased property values: The project is expected to increase property values in the surrounding area. This will benefit homeowners and businesses in the community.
Overall, the Harvest Foods Inc community farm project is a valuable investment that will help to address the harm that was caused by the pandemic, address needs, and support positive economic impact.
