Press Release: Tuchman Family Foundation Supports Hydroponic Farm at Denver School
Media contact:
Amy Fletcher Faircloth
(720) 460-0276
Press Release: Tuchman Family Foundation Supports Hydroponic Farm at Denver School
Denver, CO – To help tackle food insecurity and advance education about urban agriculture, the Tuchman Family Foundation has provided a grant to support the hydroponic farm and educational programming at Bruce Randolph School in Denver.
The indoor hydroponic farm run by Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) trains students on growing methods that provide fresh produce for the school and the community. Students in grades 6-12 grow about 1,000 pounds of fresh produce every month that are used in Bruce Randolph School’s cafeteria and distributed to community members through a student-run farmer’s market.
“Access to healthy food is critical to wellbeing. Yet food insecurity is a persistent challenge in communities across America. . That’s why we're excited to support Teens for Food Justice and their innovative work,” said Kenneth Tuchman, co-founder of the Tuchman Family Foundation. “Not only are students learning to become 21st-century farmers and being educated about nutrition, but they are also developing critical leadership and advocacy skills as they serve their community. This program is seeding generational changes.”
Hydroponic farming uses vertical shelving and water that constantly recirculates through the growing environment. The water is fed by nutrients that replace those found in soil, and grow lights replace natural light in the indoor environment.
The grant from the Tuchman Family Foundation supports the TFFJ farm’s staff, equipment, consumables and environmental controls.
Hydroponic farming requires no green space, uses little energy and provides a unique opportunity to sustainably grow large quantities of produce in urban environments. This approach allows for faster food production and uses a fraction of the land and water of conventional farming.
Through STEM classes and school-based internships, TFFJ students play a critical role in maintaining the hydroponic farm, growing produce and helping distribute it to the community. This helps foster an excitement about healthy eating and empowers students to be educators, mentors, and advocates working to build a just, equitable, and sustainable food system for all.
“TFFJ is extremely grateful for the Tuchman Family Foundation's support of our programming at the Bruce Randolph School,” said Katherine Soll, CEO and founder of Teens for Food Justice. “The foundation’s grant will allow us to provide more students with a hands-on experiential laboratory for STEM education and provide the community more access to healthy produce.”
TFFJ's technologically advanced solution helps address the lack of affordable, fresh food in food desert communities. They are also helping close the gaps in food access, health outcomes, and marketable skills between historically well-resourced and under-resourced communities.
Learn more about how you can support Teens for Food Justice at
teensforfoodjustice.org/donate/.
About the Tuchman Family Foundation
Based in Colorado, the Tuchman Family Foundation embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of its founders, Kenneth and Debra Tuchman, in its efforts to help people build safe, healthy and productive lives. The foundation is committed to advancing K-12 education innovation, breakthrough medical research, positive social change, community well-being and environmental sustainability.
