Tackling homelessness, joblessness, and food insecurity all at once can seem like a daunting task, but Verde Farms in Miami, Florida is managing to do all three. The community farm has one saying: “For people, not for profit,” and they stay true to that credo.
All money spent at the Verde Community Farmers Market and restaurant go toward hiring and training at-risk community members to work on the farm and in the market, and to build infrastructure to support the program. Special consideration is given to Carrfour Supportive Housing’s Verde Gardens community.
When people purchase organically-grown fruit and vegetables, fresh-squeezed organic juices, edible organic plants, and other items, they are helping to support a sustainable community which was erected on an old military base that was shattered to ruins during Hurricane Andrew in 1992.