There’s a difference between being fed and being nourished. It took a shipping container, a delivery van, three state grants, and the coordination of partners who refuse to accept that fresh food is a luxury — but last Monday, that difference got a little smaller for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

Josh Smith, owner of Neon Greens, outlined the advantages of their closed-environment agriculture. “We’re able to control the sun which are our led’s and the water, the best city water. We’re able to add nutrients to that water as you would your home,” Smith said.

The establishment grows three types of lettuce vertically within a thermally efficient shipping container, combining urban farming with a restaurant model off Manchester.