Grow Ohio Valley will utilize a $418,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to address food scarcity in the Appalachian region by creating a food hub network spanning 14 counties and three states. The initiative was titled "Project Everyberry" because strawberries will be the first food the network will distribute.
One of the primary focuses of the initial planning will be determining where to establish in Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The location of the West Virginia growing center has already been decided: Oglebay. "Project Everberry" will use Oglebay's hydroponics technology at its greenhouses to grow strawberries for the program.
Huge strawberry market
In this model strawberries are used which aren't going to solve food insecurity or serve the total diet of a region, but are a $2 billion annual industry and help to create the model for the food hub network. There is also potential to grow other crops, depending on economic viability.
Engagement of partners
To begin developing the plan, Grow Ohio Valley and program partners will engage with food system experts, academic partners, state officials, local communities and professional consultants to assess each state's needs, attributes, barriers and assets in this endeavor.
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