ATLANTIC CITY — Ever since the C.R.O.P.S. nonprofit was founded in 2016 as a way to connect residents to farm-fresh foods, the group has looked to grow.
To keep fortifying its community roots, C.R.O.P.S. (Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces) moved from its location in the Tanger Outlets The Walk to its new Food Hub location on South Tennessee Avenue.
“It’s an idea that we’ve had for quite a while in our desire to be able to connect everyone with healthy, nutritious food that’s grown locally,” said Alexis Flack, the director of operations for C.R.O.P.S., at Friday’s open house for the Food Hub. “Through a series of conversations with a variety of community members, we were able to make this happen.”
The Food Hub was made possible by a Leadership Grant of $5,000 per year for three years from the ThriveAC Fund.
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A $308,00 grant from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority allowed the group to purchase its hydroponics systems, new refrigerators and more.
Lisa Newcomb, executive director of C.R.O.P.S., said the space is about six times smaller than the prior location, but since it is centrally located in the heart of the city, it allows the group to reach the community easier.
“The outlet space was in an area geared towards shopping,” said Newcomb. “There’s residential spaces in the area and right above us, restaurants, a yoga studio, another non profit, so this gives us a chance to build continuity in our programming.”
Kate O’Malley, a resident in the city’s Orange Loop section, said she was excited to welcome C.R.O.P.S. to the neighborhood.
“Having access to something like this is in our neighborhood is going to help everyone out,” O’Malley said. “A lot of the folks that live here don’t drive or have the time to take a 2-hour bus to a farmer’s market, so this Food Hub is really going to make a difference and benefit everyone that lives here.”
Through farmers markets, community gardens, advocacy, education and a wide range of programming, C.R.O.P.S. connects individuals with local farmers and distributors.
The goal is to make healthy food available to residents, who live in the state’s second largest food desert, Newcomb said.
The Food Hub will be a space where the organization can aggregate, store, process and market locally grown food to consumers, bridging the gap between farmers and residents.
The space will also allow the group to host many of its educational workshops, like its Gardening, Eco-Art and Nutritional Workshop Series.
“I’m really excited for C.R.O.P.S. and the additional work they’ll be able to do in the community,” said Ventnor resident Marielle Pallamaro, who works with C.R.O.P.S. via Reed’s Farm, one of the local farmers with which the group has partnered. “It means easier access to greens and fresh produce.”
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