Uplifting and motivating.

We’re making healthy food affordable to everyone.”

Growing Power started in 1993, with Allen using teens in the Silver Spring neighborhood to grow food at its retail store.

The organization grew from there, and in May, it expanded its program of selling grocery bags of fruit and vegetables for $14 — enough produce to feed a family of four for a week.

Allen and his staff buy food in bulk through a national farmer cooperative and raise produce at Growing Power’s 2-acre farm on Silver Spring and a 40-acre farm in the Town of Merton.

In addition, Growing Power and Maple Tree School and Community Garden, 6644 N. 107th St., are using 5 acres to teach young people about organic agriculture and the business of growing food.

With the help of his daughter, Erika, he has also expanded operations to Chicago.

Growing Power also uses workshops to teach aspiring urban farmers and focuses on low-cost technologies.

In awarding the fellowship, the MacArthur Foundation noted that Allen’s efforts are guided by the knowledge that a healthy diet can help fight problems such as diabetes and obesity — problems that can be exacerbated by limited access to fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables.

 Read more…