City Seeds

Gateway Greening leads a collaboration of local non-profits, colleges, & universities to increase food security in St. Louis.

Mission Statement:The City Seeds mission is to foster self-sufficiency in addicted and chronically mentally ill homeless; increase production and distribution of locally grown fresh food for low-income residents, and provide nutrition and food preparation/preservation programs.

The scope of the project is to:

City Seeds collaborators are:

The City Seeds Urban Farm is located near Union Station in downtown St. Louis. Tended by St. Patrick Center clients, these urban farmers seek to overcome homelessness, beat drug addiction and cope with mental illness. Mentored by Gateway Greening, New Roots Urban Farm, and Master Gardeners, the farmers take classes in horticulture while learning hands-on vegetable production and landscape maintenance. As the seasons change, farmers undergo a personal transformation as their experience instills teamwork, responsibility and self-confidence. Food grown is sold at Tower Grove Farmers' Market, North City Farmers' Market and Local Harvest Grocery to provide salaries for St. Patrick Center participants and is donated to food pantries.

Gateway Greening built hoop houses to grow out larger quantities of vegetable seedlings to distribute to inner-city gardeners. By providing more varieties of heritage and heirloom seedlings, people can consume healthy, fresh food at a lower cost. The hoop houses, plastic-sided greenhouses used to extend growing seasons and protect plants from winter weather, grow vegetable seedlings that are planted at the urban farm as well as distributed to community and backyard gardeners. Volunteers are instrumental in seeding thousands of cool and warm season crops during spring, summer and fall. Seedlings are available at Bell Garden, Gateway Greening's Outdoor Office, throughout the growing season.

Other components of the program serve to improve the economic well-being of both rural farmers and urban residents. Church kitchens host food preservation demonstrations to teach gardeners how to make the most of their harvest. Food Circles Networking Project, University of Missouri Extension connects rural farmers with inner city food distribution outlets to provide not only a new market for the farmers but a source for fresh, local and affordable produce. Community gardens are food distribution points while hosting cooking demonstrations. Click here for more information on the Food Distribution pilot program.

Operation Food Search conducts monthly food preparation demonstrations at City Seeds Urban Farm. The public is welcome to attend. Check the calendar for upcoming cooking and canning classes. Other collaborators play important roles in the program. St. Louis Community College - Meramec Horticulture Department teaches plant science to St. Patrick Center farmers as part of their job-training experience. The University of Missouri - St. Louis Public Policy Research Center is conducting the project evaluation.

Support is provided by USDA CSREES Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program of the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA, Grant #2005-33800-16482.

We extend thanks to our additional funders:

Staff training provided by Horticultural Society of New York GreenHouse Program on Rikers Island and the American Community Gardening Association. Funds received from the USDA are matched at 100% by City Seeds collaborating organizations.

Volunteers: The success of our program would not be possible without dedicated volunteers. More than 50 individuals and community groups have joined the effort! Thanks goes to Joseph Ambrose, Sr. & Jr., Janie Bedwell, Chaminade College Preporatory High School, Marilyn Claggett, Sue Chaires, Connie Goss, Deloitte & Touche, Engineers Without Borders of Washington University, Greater St. Mark Church, Horstmann Brothers, JFK High School, Ladue Chapel, Kevin McGowan, McGowan Walsh, Rich Muth, Mary Ann Nye, Jim Schulte, Becky Sweeney, SLU Alpha Phi Omega, SLU Business School, SLU Freshman, St. Louis Master Gardeners, St. Mary's High School, Vianney High School, and all who have helped along the way.