A severe storm on April 2, 2025, destroyed the newly erected hoophouse at South Side Farms, a nonprofit 7-acre urban farm in Cape Girardeau. The damage has put the farm's operations at risk, threatening its mission to combat food insecurity in the community.
South Side Farms distributed over 6,000 pounds of fresh produce in the local food supply chain last year, providing critical access to nutritious food for residents.
The farm's produce is consistently praised for its quality, with recipients saying it surpasses store-bought options. The South Cape community faces significant challenges, including high rates of poverty and preventable diseases, limited access to healthy food options, and high crime rates.
The farm's destruction has exacerbated these issues, and support is needed to rebuild and continue its mission. Donations will enable South Side Farms to purchase a new hoophouse and restore its infrastructure, allowing it to continue providing fresh produce and expand its programs to reach more people sustainably.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the hoophouse here.
Read more at Fox23