Lima Senior AG And Food Bank Announce Partnership

The West Ohio Food Bank and Lima Senior High School's Agriculture (FFA) program announced an innovative partnership this week that has brought hydroponic growing towers to the program and given the food bank another way to assist those in need.

The food bank purchased the hydroponic growing towers by utilizing grant funding. Students are receiving hands-on learning opportunities in agriculture and innovative growing practices. The fresh produce that students grow is given back to the Food Bank to help feed neighbors experiencing food insecurity. 

The growing is already getting results. Students recently completed their first harvest, complete with fresh lettuce, collard greens and arugula given to  the food bank for distribution. 

This partnership demonstrates that addressing hunger isn’t just about meeting an immediate need, but it is also about educating and engaging the next generation,  strengthening our local food system, and finding new ways to create healthier communities. 

This entire effort involved a team of leaders coming together. Justin Richardson, an instructor of teaching in environmental, safety and occupational health management at the University of Findlay, started the conversation about the possibilities of this program.

Ag Teacher Tim Garmon will oversee the future progress of the partnership.

A ribbon cutting to celebrate the partnership took place courtesy of the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce. Local community leaders, agricultural businesses and others were also on hand. Students gave tours of the program's greenhouse, mobile greenhouse and other parts of the farm following the ribbon cutting.

In addition, Bob Evans Restaurants presented at $500 check to Lima Senior's Ag program.