Pathways Greenhouse Project – Open House 10/22

by Lauren Merriman

Have you been wondering about the greenhouse just beyond the propane tank and pallets of topsoil? Well now is your chance to come check it out! Pathways Greenhouse Project will be having an open house THIS Saturday, October 22^nd from 1-3pm. Come learn about cutting edge sustainable agriculture and purchase “chemically free, locally grown” produce for a great low price!

Pathways Greenhouse Project is owned and operated by Pathways Christian Fellowship, with support from a grant established by the Community Action Organization (CAO) and a generous donation of land from Mike Masterson.  With funding from the CAO, the Pathways Greenhouse Project is part of a larger Federal Stimulus Program.

Initially, the greenhouse project was envisioned as a source of food for the community living in the Route 16 corridor. That “food source” could be accessed through the sale of fresh, chemical free healthy food at a low price and/or earned as part of compensation for work. It quickly became evident that it was not possible to support the business side of the project given its current size and amount of produce that can be harvested throughout the year. It is important to note that this greenhouse has been “winterized” extending the growing season to a full twelve months but even with the full-year growing season cannot currently produce enough to fulfill its initial mission.

The first order of business then, was for the greenhouse to become sustainable as a standalone resource with growth potential.  With this, finding distribution channels for the produce grown at the greenhouse to derive revenue enough to support the functioning of the structure and fuel further growth became paramount.  Quickly matching marketplace needs with greenhouse capabilities, the primary produce grown at the greenhouse currently is comprised of highly specialized vegetation that is sold to area upscale restaurants to round out their menu offerings. Some of these restaurants include: Mother’s, Betty’s, The Buffalo Chophouse, The Buffalo Convention Center, Adam’s Mark. During the summer, Oliver’s restaurant menu was comprised of 100% produce from the greenhouse project!

Admittedly though, this “restaurant customer” does not align with the mission of the originally- humanitarian church ministry.  The second phase of this initial model then brings the second objective to the forefront- using the current greenhouse to in some way serve the community.  Not necessarily as a food source today, but in a bigger-picture manner of offering training, volunteerism opportunity, nurturing at-risk youth through education and empowerment, etc.

However, the bigger opportunity for the greenhouse is in extending their reach even further to the community at large by changing not only perceptions about healthy eating, but access to healthy eating.

Changing perceptions can be done through education and example.  While access to healthy eating can be provided not only through distribution of food from the greenhouse but by encouraging and assisting participants to explore their own food resources in the form of gardening.

This is not a chicken-vs.-egg syndrome, it is instead a challenge of “beefing up the chicken” to raise more to lay eggs to feed many.  It is, after all, in feeding, nourishing the community living in the Route 16 corridor that we find the true mission and purpose for building the greenhouse.

You may be wondering now, how you can get involved. We need volunteers and eventually managers to oversee different administrative roles such as publicity director, volunteer coordinator, training coordinator, funds sourcing manager etc. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday and answering any questions you may have for us. Remember this project is still young but with support will grow up to do great things in the community! J