What if the solution to food insecurity could be found right in the heart of urban neighborhoods?
Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Antajuan Adams and Mina Aria, the inspiring force behind New Roots Urban Farm in North St. Louis. Antajuan and Mina are not only transforming landscapes but also reshaping the concept of "food apartheid" by highlighting systemic injustices and championing community self-reliance. Their volunteer-driven sanctuary is as much about sowing seeds as it is about cultivating empowerment, with an innovative pay-what-you-can model that ensures everyone in the community can relish fresh, nutritious food.
Through candid conversations and insightful stories, we explore the challenges and triumphs of Black urban farmers striving to secure resources and build sustainable futures. From household essentials to community events, New Roots is redefining what it means to engage a community around food. Together with his partners, Antajuan envisions a future where urban farming not only feeds but also heals, educates, and empowers entire communities. Join us as we celebrate the resilience, creativity, and generosity that Antajuan, Mina, and their fellow farmers are sowing into the very fabric of North St. Louis.
Founded in 2020 by John Cowan, Mylk and Hummus makes on-the-go, chickpea-based snacks that focus on flavorful hummus varieties and ready-to-drink plant-based lattes. Mylk and Hummus products nourish the physical and mental endurance needs of today while considering environmental goals for the future. At Mylk and Hummus, plant-based food is made with ingredients proudly sourced through sustainable and regenerative agriculture where farming principles and practices enrich soils, restore watersheds, and lead to healthy ecosystems. The company operates on these principles to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to the reversal of global trends in climate instability, habitat loss, and the vitality of the natural world.
Discussion Points:
- Intro to New Roots Urban Farm
- Exploring the concept of “food apartheid” and its implications
- Mina’s journey from Wash. U to New Roots Urban Farm in North St. Louis
- Antajuan Adams' journey and his community-focused initiatives
- Importance of education and empowerment through urban farming
- Expansion plans and the therapeutic nature of farming
- Challenges faced by Black urban farmers in securing funding
- Community support and engagement through volunteer efforts
- Role of partnerships with local organizations for growth
- Original farm's transformation under new leadership
- Efforts to connect and engage with the local community
- Benefits of sustainable farming and personal mental health
- New Roots' mission in policy advocacy and community support
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