Frequently Asked Questions
About Local Food and Small-Scale Agriculture
Why is local food So Expensive?
Sometimes it's not nearly as expensive as the grocer, but sometimes it does cost more. Local food is being sold to you by people who had a hand in growing it. The prices some supermarkets are able to offer are so low because people get undervalued in the process of its production. Labor abuses, wage theft and bad environmental practices are all reasons that food can be produced very inexpensively. While these things made our food system more affordable they also are abuse of the most vulnerable populations. Growing food takes time, energy, and human capital. When you buy from a farmer you're paying them a living wage.
Are you guys Organic?
The ReFresh Farm and all garden projects of SPROUT NOLA follow strict naturally grown standards. We do not certify our gardens as organic at this time, but use no synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers.
Isn't the Soil Toxic?
Nope! The soil is different from lot-to-lot and some of the lots in New Orleans do have high concentrations of heavy metals or contaminants, but management of those problems is the kind of education we offer people growing in the city! City soil is resilient and can be nurtured back to health.
Aren't Urban farms Ineffective?
SPROUT supports urban and rural farms, and we believe that every kind of farm is important. Small urban farms can make a really big impact. Even if they aren't producing the quantity of food needed to feed the whole city any fresh food is good fresh food! You'd be amazed by the ability some urban growers have to make every inch count. Urban farms can also be spaces of learning, community and peace. Green spaces in our city reduce water run off, off-set carbon emissions and increase pollinators, wildlife and general bio-diversity.