US: East Chicago mayor provides grants for Glynn Barber's new aquaponic greenhouse

A Hoosier-made aquaponics system for growing organic fruits and vegetables with zero waste will be used to feed the hungry. East Chicago officials and Glynn Barber, the inventor of the aquaponics system, were on hand for the unveiling at the greenhouse at Washington Park.

The project with Environmentally Controlled Sustainable Integrated Agriculture of Redkey, Indiana, uses the waste produced by fish to supply nutrients to plants grown in 12 inches of water, or hydroponically. The plants then purify the water, creating a closed-loop, zero-waste production mechanism.

The project will include transforming the greenhouse, training staff and growing organic food.

City Planner Marino Solorio said the produce grown in the greenhouse will go primarily to The Salvation Army food programs in the winter months and will be sold at local farmers markets in the summer months.

“We want to be able to provide affordable, healthy food,” Solorio said. “A salad costs almost as much as a full-course meal in some restaurants. We want to drop prices of fresh vegetables.”

Leta Marin, cadet with The Salvation Army of East Chicago, said the partnership is “a wonderful gift.”

“We’re passionate about not only providing food, but nutritional food, in our food pantry,” Marin said.

Mayor Anthony Copeland committed $100,000 to the program. If successful, the city plans to apply for a $400,000 matching grant to allow for an $800,000 investment within four years.

Source: AP / DailyProgress.com