Project Rainfall Aims to be an Oasis in a Food Desert
BY KEVIN JOLLY - Spectrum Local News
BUFFALO, NY- Masten District Councilmember Ulysses Wingo says when it comes to healthy food options, his district has a serious problem.
Masten district has about 35 corner stores and delis of which don't necessarily carry fresh fruits and vegetables. Out of those 30 something stores we don't have a single grocery store that brings in fresh produce on this side of Buffalo especially in Masten district," said Ulysses Wingo (D) Masten District
It's what's referred to as a "food desert".
"It's been considered a food desert, not just in Masten but in the city of Buffalo because of the lack of access to healthy foods," said Wingo.
But now's there's a plan in the works to turn this empty building near the corner of East Delavan and Winchester into an "oasis in the desert".
"Well Project Rainfall is a social enterprise project that is focused on improving the wellness of our community," said Rita Hubbard-Robinson.
Project Rainfall is the brainchild of Neu Water CEO Rita Hubbard Robinson. Hubbard-Robinson got the idea almost ten years ago when she was working at ECMC. She noticed many of the health issues she saw were directly related to disparities in the access healthy foods in certain parts of the city.
"You can't get fresh fruits and vegetables, generally speaking, in many neighborhoods in the city, mainly on the eastside of Buffalo," said Hubbard-Robinson.
In addition to a farmers market, this 41-thousand square foot building will house a hydro and aquaponics farm, education kitchen, and a wellness center with access to healthcare and dieticians.
There would also be wellness activities: yoga, tai chi, and other things in that space," said Hubbard-Robinson.
Hubbard-Robinson says transforming the building could run in the neighborhood of six million dollars. In his State of the City address Mayor Byron Brown announced the project is one of 50 cities nationwide to receive funding from the National Invest Health Initiative. Hubbard-Robinson says much of the initial funding has come from foundations along with financial support from the city and the state. She says once the rest of the funding is secured the project would take between 18 months and two years to complete.
"It will invigorate this area, it'll be part of something that's very holistic, looking at community development through a health lens. So, I think this is important to the Mayor, the city, and certainly to the residents," said Hubbard-Robinson.