Fernwood Growing Center

Launched in 2009, the Fernwood Growing Center was developed by the Toledo Community Development Corporation (Toledo CDC) as part of a neighborhood strategy to address the lack of healthy, affordable produce in central city neighborhoods. The center was established on a redeveloped 2-acre Brownfield site at 1646 Fernwood Ave, transforming it into a sustainable urban agriculture hub.

The Fernwood Growing Center employs green and sustainable practices to cultivate fresh produce. By transforming a former Brownfield site into a productive urban farm, the center emphasizes the importance of utilizing previously unused urban spaces for agriculture. The focus is on providing access to healthy food while also generating jobs in food production, distribution, and education.

The Fernwood Growing Center addresses food insecurity in low-to-moderate income (LMI) neighborhoods, where access to fresh produce is limited and health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and asthma are prevalent. The center aims to create a more livable and viable community by improving food security and contributing to the overall health and well-being of residents.