Partnership with Local High School Hydroponic Program

Description

We partnered with Myers Park High School, who was in the nascent stages of creating a hydroponic program which is an offshoot of their culinary program. We are constantly searching for new local partners, and after meeting with leadership from the school, it was evident that our interests were convergent. We performed an analysis of the quantity of leafy greens which our club consumed, as well as the cost, and worked with Myers Park High School over the summer to tailor their output to our needs. Currently, Myers Park High School provides us with bibb, green leaf, red leaf, and frisee. During the academic year, we receive about 400 heads of greens every week. We are receiving a product which is exceptionally fresh and grown only a mile from the club. The cost for the fresh, local product is lower than the imported product which it replaced.

Implementation

Our club began using their product in full at the beginning of their school year and the results have been outstanding. We are receiving a product which is exceptionally fresh and grown only a mile from the club. The cost for the fresh, local product is lower than the imported product which it replaced, and the proceeds from the salads which our members are purchasing are being funneled directly into our neighborhood school, which many of our clubs’ children attend. The membership is excited about the fresh and local product, and grateful that it supports the Charlotte school system.