|
The participation in Catholic Social Services refugee agriculture program at Fresh International Gardens (FIG) & Grow North Farm has increased in recent years, and they need to improve their food wash station infrastructure to keep up with increased demand. The improvements will increase water efficiency, save money over time, and directly benefit the refugee agriculture program and the clients who use the space.
In 2024, the program served 75 clients who collectively earned $47,000 through their participation in the FIG program, which is the largest urban farming program in Anchorage; the FIG program provides produce for the clients' use and for them to sell at a weekly market, as well as supplying produce to the St. Francis House food pantry.
AER plans to complete the project by late summer 2025, and Club members will participate by assisting in construction of the wash station improvements. In fall 2024, AER provided a $2,500 community service grant to Grow North Farms for purchase of a greenhouse kit; AER members constructed the greenhouse. The wash station grant is a continuation of that project to improve the Farm infrastructure to keep up with the needs of the refugee community.
| 
