USA - TEXAS: Cook Children’s Partnership Helps Provide Fresh Veggies to Families Across Tarrant County

AgricultureEducationIndoor Vertical FarmingShipping Container FarmsHydroponic Container FarmControlled Environment AgFood BankFood Desert

Apr 28

Written By IGrow PreOwned

Born from three churches united against hunger, Community Link started in a 1,000 square foot house and has grown into a 10,000 square foot facility serving over 22,500 families. On Saturday, the public was invited for a first look inside Fresh Link Farms, where the nonprofit is fighting hunger through hydroponic shipping container farming. Through a partnership with Cook Children’s Health Care System and the American Heart Association, Fresh Link Farms will be able to provide even more fresh food for families.

Community Link, a nonprofit in Saginaw, first dreamed about hydroponic farming in 2024.

Since its founding in 2005, Community Link has tackled innovative ways to alleviate hunger and food scarcity for Tarrant County families. In the areas served by Community Link, 30% of children are food insecure, meaning they lack consistent access to sufficient, nutritious food. Through online food ordering, a drive-thru food pantry and partnerships with local farmers markets, they provided nearly 23,000 families with food last year alone.

But like many food programs, the group has faced obstacles to providing people with fresh produce. Donated fruits and veggies go bad quickly and don’t always make it to families. In March 2025, Community Link found a way to deliver vegetables to families almost as soon as they were harvested: freight farms.

Freight farms are vertical farms built inside of repurposed shipping containers. They utilize hydroponic farming, in which plants are grown without soil and instead grow inside water-based solutions. The farms can be placed virtually anywhere and grow year-round because of their self-contained climate. The result is a high-yield farm that requires far less space than a traditional garden.

Community Link obtained its first freight farm in 2025 and Fresh Link Farms was born. By September, they had their first harvest. Since then, they’ve grown 21,000 plants: romaine lettuce, kale, collard greens, bok choy and other veggies. There has been a spirit of excitement about this project from the community and clients, said Whitney Berry, Community Link’s Director of Markets and Local Food.

“The enthusiasm from our clients and volunteers says it all—Fresh Link Farms is creating meaningful connections to fresh, healthy food,” Berry said. “Our freight farm is not just growing produce, it’s growing engagement, education, and opportunity.”

Once a week, volunteers are able to harvest and distribute produce directly to clients through Community Link’s food pantry. The nonprofit also transports veggies down the road to the Community Caring Center in Azle.

A Collaborative Effort for Community Health

On Saturday, the nonprofit hosted its official grand opening at the freight farm, dubbed the Lettuce Shack. The event took place at the Azle’s Farmer’s Market, which Community Link also runs, at 225 Church St, Azle, TX 76020. Attendees toured the Lettuce Shack, self-harvested some of the plants and learned more about hydroponic farming.

Saturday's event was also a celebration of Fresh Link Farm’s collaboration with Cook Children’s Center for Community Health, the American Heart Association and other supporters.

Cook Children’s and the American Heart Association have been supporters of the freight farm project and are providing financial support for the ongoing costs of managing the Lettuce Shack. On April 25, Cook Children’s will also host a container gardening workshop at the Saginaw Farmers Market in partnership with the American Heart Association. During the session, families will learn how to grow their own food, receive the supplies needed to start a container garden at home, and take home fresh ingredients to prepare a healthy recipe together.

“Access to nutritious foods plays an essential role in heart health,” said Jenny Eyer, vice president of community impact for the American Heart Association in North Texas. “This freight farm will help improve access to fresh, locally grown produce for thousands in our Azle community starting today and strengthening health outcomes for years to come.”

Cook Children’s also hopes to offer at least four educational sessions, led by Cook Children’s Center for Community Health, focused on nutrition and healthy habits at home.

“By combining education, access, and hands-on support, this partnership aims to create lasting impacts on family health and nutrition, while also laying the foundation for future opportunities to expand and deepen its reach within the community,” said Emily Epperson, Program Manager of Community Health.

The partnership is a perfect fit for Cook Children’s as part of its mission to advance nutrition security across the region. As the largest food pantry in Northwest Tarrant County, Community Link plays a vital role in serving families in need. Through the introduction of a freight farm, this collaboration will significantly increase access to fresh, healthy produce — ensuring more neighbors have the resources they need to support healthier lives.

Berry said the collaboration allows Community Link to have a broader reach to community members and pursue even bigger dreams.

“How we maintain anything as a nonprofit is through collaboration and our community,” she said. “We are a small nonprofit, so having the support of these organizations means the world to us.”

When Fresh Link is able to grow, harvest and give produce to community members, the result is a full circle moment for volunteers and clients, Berry said. Volunteers are able to harvest produce on Wednesday and hand it directly to someone on Thursday, saying, “Hey, I grew this, it grew in Azle just down the street, we picked it yesterday, and it's for your family.”

In the three months after its first harvest in September 2025, Fresh Link Farms provided its fresh, locally grown produce to more than 14,000 people. With its new partnership, the nonprofit hopes to provide nutritious produce to thousands more families.