The Sedona Greenhouse Project is partnering with Manzanita Outreach in Cottonwood to supply fresh, local produce to people facing food insecurity.
Manzanita Outreach provides food assistance to those who need it throughout Yavapai County. They believe that everyone should have access to healthy food and strive to fill the gaps in the food assistance supply chain in a way that allows individuals in need to maintain their dignity.
The Sedona Greenhouse Project is a community-driven initiative with a vision of cultivating a local food system in the Verde Valley. The volunteer-driven project started in December of 2020, aiming to build a collaborative network of local food producers to strengthen the health of the community. It utilizes regenerative farming methods to prevent soil erosion, build habitats, improve water infiltration and retention, increase yields and sequester carbon.
SGP also accepts kitchen compost at their garden locations during volunteer hours and hosts educational workshops and events on a monthly basis.
Beginning in June, the Sedona Greenhouse Project will be providing Manzanita Outreach with a regular supply of their locally-grown produce.
“The decision to partner with Manzanita Outreach was an easy one,” SGP program director Karina Cole said. “We share a common goal of increasing access to healthy, nutritious food for all members of our community, regardless of their income level or background. By working together, we can combine our resources and expertise to make a greater impact. We’re grateful to be a part of such a meaningful collaboration, and excited to see the positive effects that it will have on our community. At the Sedona Greenhouse Project, we’re committed to making locally grown produce accessible to everyone, and believe that partnerships like this one are key to achieving that goal.”
Food distributions take place at Manzanita Outreach’s Cottonwood location at 406 S. 6th Street on the first and third Saturdays of every month via drive-through, as well as through home deliveries.
“Through my work, I aim to inspire individuals to reconnect with nature and cultivate an appreciation for the land that nourishes us,” Cole said. “By empowering people to actively participate in our local food system movement, I hope to effect positive change on a larger scale and encourage a greater sense of responsibility towards our planet.”
