The G.R.E.A.N. House

What is the G.R.E.A.N. House?

           

            Brought to you by the directors of Clean Greens Farm and Market, the G.R.E.A.N. House is a new community initiative to create a model for sustainable living.  Our acronym, G.R.E.A.N., stands for Growing and Retrofitting Eco-friendly Agricultural Neighborhoods.  The G.R.E.A.N. House is a residential facility that will be equipped with commercial kitchenware and retrofitted to function in a sustainable manner.  The House will serve as a space in which to educate community members of all ages about the importance of growing, preparing, and preserving natural foods.  Our goals are to make natural, healthy foods accessible to inner-city communities, to equip residents with the knowledge and tools they will need to continue agricultural practices within their own homes, and to inspire participants to maintain the values of taking a hands-on approach to healthy living.

Why is this important?

            While maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for all people, critical health issues exist specifically among the African-American community, and especially in lower-income, urban spaces.  Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and more run rampant amongst the inner-city.  Ironically, it is these same communities that witness aggressive advertising from fast food corporations on a regular basis.  Too often, the convenience, cost, and accessibility of these companies compete with and beat out the healthier option of natural, self-prepared meals.  The G.R.E.A.N. House intends to combat this issue by eventually developing a café that will serve salads, sandwiches, and other meal products at reasonable prices prepared by participants who have been trained to cook with natural ingredients.  As a result, we will make healthier meals convenient and affordable, which will assist in inspiring the community to make health a priority.

What are the other benefits to the G.R.E.A.N. House?

Community Collaboration           

            Not to be forgotten are the benefits of learning as a community.  Perhaps the most significant theme of the G.R.E.A.N. House is its intent to encourage community productivity.  By providing a space with resources, instructors, and active community participation, urban community members will experience the rich value of interacting with one another, collaborating, and enjoying the rewards of working together.  The G.R.E.A.N. House will be a facility that is truly dependent upon teamwork.

Youth Learn Valuable Skills

            Sustainable living is more than just a contemporary trend.  It is a priority in our efforts to preserve the earth and our selves.  In addition to training on agricultural practices and preparing natural foods, the G.R.E.A.N. House will also provide technical classes on retrofitting homes.  Such knowledge will serve youth well, as it is becoming the interest of many large companies and homeowners to create and sustain a more eco-friendly living environment.

How can you help?

            To bring our vision of the G.R.E.A.N. House into fruition, we are in need of commercial kitchenware such as large refrigerators, freezers, storage, etc.  Of course, donations are always helpful as well.  We are calling upon friends and sponsors to help us create a space that will foster healthy, productive, and self-efficient communities.