Vertical Harvest Partners with Food Bank of Wyoming to Expand Hunger Relief Efforts

Key Takeaways

• Vertical Harvest, a Wyoming-based indoor farming company, collaborates with Food Bank of Wyoming to distribute fresh greens.
• The company focuses on Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for people with disabilities.
• The partnership aims to expand access to fresh, local produce, especially for low-income and low-access (LILA) communities.
• The initiative has received funding from the Bank of Jackson Hole and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’s Member Impact Fund.
• Both organizations want to expand the program and impact food security across Wyoming.

Vertical Harvest, a Wyoming-based indoor farming company specializing in Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for people with disabilities, has announced a successful pilot program in partnership with the Food Bank of Wyoming. The initiative aims to distribute fresh greens to Wyoming Hunger Relief Partners and is set to expand further.

Focusing on Local Distribution

Jon Hume, Vertical Harvest’s Chief Commercial Officer, oversees the company’s expansion into new markets like Maine and Michigan. However, the company maintains a “feed locals first” philosophy, prioritizing local and state produce distribution. “We aim to see the entire community as our customer,” said Hume. The company is also offering preference to local and regional distributors and community organizations like the Food Bank of Wyoming.

Pilot Program Success

The pilot program initially focused on one monthly pick-up and delivery to the Lander Share and Care Food Bank. Stacey Stebner, a representative from the food bank, praised the quality of the greens and the company’s inclusive employment program, Grow Well. The greens arrive fresh within a day of harvest, accompanied by recipes and educational materials from the Cent$ible Nutrition Program, Wyoming’s SNAP-Ed, and TEFAP Programs.

Expansion Plans

The Lander pantry has absorbed 225 lbs of greens delivered over the partnership’s first three months. Plans are underway to expand access further across the state, with a second pick-up and delivery route in the works. Funding for the expansion has been earmarked thanks to the Bank of Jackson Hole and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’s Member Impact Fund. The following location on the list is the Fresh Food Center in Casper, although expansion depends on finding a qualified CDL driver for the part-time position.

Public-Private Partnerships

Co-founder and CEO Nona Yehia emphasized that Vertical Harvest is a home-grown Wyoming company focused on creating a sustainable future. She acknowledged the role of public-private partnerships, mentioning original investments from the Wyoming Business Council and a partnership with the town of Jackson.

Image provided by Vertical Harvest