Feedback PLEASE--Indoor Veg garden for seniors

[Guest guest]

Thanks for feedback and encouregement

Cheers

Bea--- On Sat, 2/21/09, Tony De Angelis <tntstuart wrote:

Tony De Angelis <tntstuartRe: Feedback PLEASE--Indoor Veg garden for seniors Date: Saturday, February 21, 2009, 7:15 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I am not currently able to use such a service, I know of many who could not afford to be without it at the costs you project. It is an honorable and worthwhile venture.--- On Sat, 2/21/09, Bea Bernhausen <beabernhausen@ > wrote:

Bea Bernhausen <beabernhausen@ >[Health_and_ Healing] Feedback PLEASE--Indoor Veg garden for seniorsthink-outside- the-box@gro ups.comSaturday, February 21, 2009, 6:06 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello all

 

This is a hypothetical non-profit operation--a Social Enterprise venture created for the Sustainable Community Development course I am taking--which if feasible I would like to actually implement. We are required to do a survey as to whether there would be interest in our product/service. Any feedback would be much appreciated (and ASAP--as this class is 'on steroids')

 

Thanks to all who respond

Bea

 

My partner and I created the following concept:

 

A simple indoor salad and herb garden for seniors to provide fresh nutritional content daily, as well as other related benefits.

 

A. Market Analysis:

1. Industry profile and trends Indoor gardening of vegetables and herbs has been ongoing for many years, and is especially important now as it is getting harder to get good wholesome foods unadulterated through pesticides, additives and genetic modification. People are also becoming increasingly aware of the environmental destruction that takes place due to the shipping of food from long distances, and ideas like the “100 Mile Diet” become popular. Growing locally is being seen as the answer to many aspects of environmental problems such as pollution to which exhaust from transport trucks and ships is seen as being a great contributor, as well as the cost of fuel both in an economic and environmental sense. http://thetyee. ca/Life/2005/ 08/12/TravelledF ood/ Indoor growing of simple vegetable produce is a viable way to address some of these concerns, and at the

same time provide the most nourishing food possible. Last but not least are the economic benefits of growing some of your own vegetables. With today’s economic climate, the cost of food is on an upward spiral, putting wholesome foods out of many seniors’ reach.

 

 

According to a Statistics Canada report, 2007 marked the second-highest food price rise since 1991, going up by 2.7 per cent. This increase was higher than the average consumer price index increase in 2007, which rose by two per cent on all other items except food. In July 2008, food prices went up by an average of 3.7 per cent over the last 12 months, marking a trend that isn't slowing. http://www2. canada.com/ reginaleaderpost /news/story. html?id=80ba0638 -5389-4c14- 884f-d9ae8f4aab0 3

 

Published: Monday, February 09, 2009

Almost half of Canadians say they are going without fresh, healthy food because it is too expensive, according to the results of a national study released Monday by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The survey found 47 per cent of Canadians don't buy fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and whole grain products, lean meat or fish because of the cost.

"Healthy eating is a key factor in preventing heart disease," says Dr. Beth Abramson, Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson and cardiologist.

http://www2. canada.com/ health/canadians +fresh+healthy+ food+expensive/ 1269838/story. html?id=1269838

 

Low income elderly households

 

Low-income elderly households can experience substantial seasonal differences in the incidence of severe food insecurity in many regions that have high winter heating costs and high summer cooling costs. In the U.S., in high heating states, the odds of severe food insecurity were 43% lower in the summer (Nord & Kantor, 2006).http://www.phabc. org/pdfcore/ 2008_FoodSecurit y_LitRev. pdfFood insecurity among seniors appears to begin with compromised diet quality, followed by food anxiety, socially unacceptable meals, use of emergency food strategies, and finally actual hunger (Wolfe et al., 1998).

 

************

While there are community gardens where people who normally don't have access to gardening can grow their own, this is out of reach to most seniors and in any case there are often long waiting lists, and it is seasonal not year round. Because the benefits of eating fresh picked produce free from pesticides/additive s/GMO are tremendous and seniors don't usually have access to these, we came up with the idea of creating a simple year round indoor growing project which could be installed in most homes of seniors who are still independently living, and are able to carry out the associated tasks. We have simplified the process as much as possible--and the requirements of the operation would be no more in space or work than an average plant lover would expend on houseplants.

 

Our concept is to work with seniors, as we feel they would greatly benefit from the services we offer. Some benefits would be:

Pot to table freshness year round (very nutritious-- produce begins to lose nutrients as soon as it is picked)

 

Health benefits--organic- -no pesticides or GM Therapeutic benefits --connection with nature Social neworking with others involved in the same project Feeling of self-empowerement and achievement Environmentally friendly (local--not shipped around the world) Much more economic than buying, especially with today's rising food costs.

 

The size of an average operation would be 2-4 tomato plants (bush high yield compact) staggered so that there would be some available all year round, a variety of pepper plants, salad green such as lettuce, chard, spinach etc...many of which give continuous yied, as well as herbs both for flavoring and health. This would entail using 2-4 buckets (made into self watering containers) as well as 2 shallower rectangular containers about 1.5 feet by 2.5 feet. Lighting would be full spectrum daylight tubes which are cost effective (not halogen--expensive and too hot) where natural light can't be utilized. A timer would be used to simplify the process. Additional costs would be soil, fertilizer/compost and seeds/seedlings. The project would use all organic GMO free materials.

The whole project could be put on patios and balconies in summer growing season if available.

While produce from the above would not address all daily requirements, it would be a source of some very nutritoius content every day for one or two people.

 

The following is 'ballpark'.. .

Our cost as near as we can estimate at this point would be $100 to $150(with lights). We would use a sliding scale of app. $150-$350 charge to customers to cover other details such as delivery and installation. Ongoing help and advice would be provided by email or phone--with periodic visits for upkeep. Once the system is installed cost of upkeep would be minimal.

 

It is non-profit and all profits would be put back into the business to improve and expand service. Of course we would need grants and funding for start up--as well as utilise volunteers.

 

My question is--would you--as a senior (or future senior)--be interested in this service?

 

Thanks for your input!

 

Cheers

Bea

 

PS Keep in mind--as I'm sure you are all aware the fragility of our 'food security' and the projected shortage and rise in food costs.

 

[Guest guest]

I too commend your work and approach Bea

Hubbie and I are building raised veggie beds so as we do not have to bend to sow and harvest......... I can see great benefit in what you are proposing. As we age we need better food and nutrition.... of course we all need that! but specifically as we age and probably eat less, we need to ensure what we do consume if of the best quality and yes FRESH is best.... no sprays, just fresh picked and eaten. Congrats.

 

any ozzies here know where to get the best NON-GMO seeds for veggies?

not only non gmo but ones that are not say 'round-up ready' either......

 

Clare in Tassie who is learning!

 

-

[Guest guest]

Can't think of the name so quick but it has to do with heirloom seeds,

somewhere from Byron Bay.

That's where I used to get mine from.

Here is a google search you could follow up

 

http://www.google.com.au/search?source=ig & hl=en & rlz= & = & q=non++GMO+heritage+seeds+in+Australia & btnG=Google+Search & meta=cr%3DcountryAU

 

Also, a good magazine to browse for anything to do with self

sufficiency which includes growing your own food, is Grass Roots, from

Shepparton, Vic, or the other magazine called Earth Garden.

Most libraries carry copies of them and if you are lucky, you could

get back copies of these magazines at 2nd hand book shops. I have

got most publications going back to 1985.

Good luck!

Hanneke

At 02:37 PM 22/02/2009, you wrote:

 

I too commend your work and

approach Bea

Hubbie and I are building raised veggie beds so as we do not have to bend

to sow and harvest......... I can see great benefit in what you are

proposing. As we age we need better food and nutrition.... of course we

all need that! but specifically as we age and probably eat less, we need

to ensure what we do consume if of the best quality and yes FRESH is

best.... no sprays, just fresh picked and eaten. Congrats.

 

any ozzies here know where to

get the best NON-GMO seeds for veggies?

not only non gmo but ones that are not say 'round-up ready'

either......

 

Clare in Tassie who is

learning!

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Thanks!!--- On Sat, 2/21/09, Clare@GOOGLE MAIL <theclaremcharris wrote:

Clare@GOOGLE MAIL <theclaremcharrisRe: Feedback PLEASE--Indoor Veg garden for seniors Date: Saturday, February 21, 2009, 8:07 PM

 

 

 

I too commend your work and approach Bea

Hubbie and I are building raised veggie beds so as we do not have to bend to sow and harvest..... .... I can see great benefit in what you are proposing. As we age we need better food and nutrition... . of course we all need that! but specifically as we age and probably eat less, we need to ensure what we do consume if of the best quality and yes FRESH is best.... no sprays, just fresh picked and eaten. Congrats.

 

any ozzies here know where to get the best NON-GMO seeds for veggies?

not only non gmo but ones that are not say 'round-up ready' either......

 

Clare in Tassie who is learning!

 

-

[Guest guest]

Eden Seeds

 

Jane

 

-

Clare@GOOGLE MAIL

Sunday, February 22, 2009 3:07 PM

Re: Feedback PLEASE--Indoor Veg garden for seniors

 

I too commend your work and approach Bea

Hubbie and I are building raised veggie beds so as we do not have to bend to sow and harvest......... I can see great benefit in what you are proposing. As we age we need better food and nutrition.... of course we all need that! but specifically as we age and probably eat less, we need to ensure what we do consume if of the best quality and yes FRESH is best.... no sprays, just fresh picked and eaten. Congrats.

 

any ozzies here know where to get the best NON-GMO seeds for veggies?

not only non gmo but ones that are not say 'round-up ready' either......

 

Clare in Tassie who is learning!

 

-

 

 

 

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.2/1965 - Release 02/21/09 15:36:00

[Guest guest]

Hi

 

I believe that every home should have a small garden to provide fresh

herbs and vegis year round. Doesnt matter the age of the

gardener-just grow something

 

Good luck with class Annie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, Bea Bernhausen

<beabernhausen wrote:

>

> Hello all

>  

> This is a hypothetical non-profit operation--a Social Enterprise

venture created for the Sustainable Community Development course I am

taking--which if feasible I would like to actually implement. We are

required to do a survey as to whether there would be interest in our

product/service. Any feedback would be much appreciated (and ASAP--as

this class is 'on steroids')

>  

> Thanks to all who respond

> Bea

>  

> My partner and I created the following concept:

>  

> A simple indoor salad and herb garden for seniors to provide fresh

nutritional content daily, as well as other related benefits.

>  

> A. Market Analysis:

>  

> 1. Industry profile and trends

> Indoor gardening of vegetables and herbs has been ongoing for many

years, and is especially important now as it is getting harder to get

good wholesome foods unadulterated through pesticides, additives and

genetic modification. People are also becoming increasingly aware of

the environmental destruction that takes place due to the shipping of

food from long distances, and ideas like the " 100 Mile Diet " become

popular. Growing locally is being seen as the answer to many aspects

of environmental problems such as pollution to which exhaust from

transport trucks and ships is seen as being a great contributor, as

well as the cost of fuel both in an economic and environmental sense.

http://thetyee.ca/Life/2005/08/12/TravelledFood/ Indoor growing of

simple vegetable produce is a viable way to address some of these

concerns, and at the same time provide the most nourishing food

possible. Last but not least are the economic benefits of growing some

of your

> own vegetables. With today's economic climate, the cost of food is

on an upward spiral, putting wholesome foods out of many seniors' reach.

>  

>

> According to a Statistics Canada report, 2007 marked the

second-highest food price rise since 1991, going up by 2.7 per cent.

This increase was higher than the average consumer price index

increase in 2007, which rose by two per cent on all other items except

food. In July 2008, food prices went up by an average of 3.7 per cent

over the last 12 months, marking a trend that isn't slowing.

http://www2.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=80ba0638-5389-4c14-88\

4f-d9ae8f4aab03

 

>  

> Published: Monday, February 09, 2009

> Almost half of Canadians say they are going without fresh, healthy

food because it is too expensive, according to the results of a

national study released Monday by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

> The survey found 47 per cent of Canadians don't buy fresh fruit,

vegetables, dairy and whole grain products, lean meat or fish because

of the cost.  

> " Healthy eating is a key factor in preventing heart disease, " says

Dr. Beth Abramson, Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson and

cardiologist.

>

http://www2.canada.com/health/canadians+fresh+healthy+food+expensive/1269838/sto\

ry.html?id=1269838

>  

> Low income elderly households

>

> Low-income elderly households can experience substantial seasonal

differences in the incidence of severe food insecurity in many regions

that have high winter heating costs and high summer cooling costs. In

the U.S., in high heating states, the odds of severe food insecurity

were 43% lower in the summer (Nord & Kantor,

2006).http://www.phabc.org/pdfcore/2008_FoodSecurity_LitRev.pdf

> Food insecurity among seniors appears to begin with compromised diet

quality, followed by food anxiety, socially unacceptable meals, use of

emergency food strategies, and finally actual hunger (Wolfe et al., 1998).

>

>  

> ************

> While there are community gardens where people who normally don't

have access to gardening can grow their own, this is out of reach to

most seniors and in any case there are often long waiting lists, and

it is seasonal not year round. Because the benefits of eating fresh

picked produce free from pesticides/additives/GMO are tremendous and

seniors don't usually have access to these, we came up with the idea

of creating a simple year round indoor growing project which could be

installed in most homes of seniors who are still independently living,

and are able to carry out the associated tasks. We have simplified the

process as much as possible--and the requirements of the operation

would be no more in space or work than an average plant lover would

expend on houseplants.

>  

> Our concept is to work with seniors, as we feel they would greatly

benefit from the services we offer. Some benefits would be:

> Pot to table freshness year round (very nutritious--produce begins

to lose nutrients as soon as it is picked)

> Health benefits--organic--no pesticides or GM

> Therapeutic benefits --connection with nature

> Social neworking with others involved in the same project

> Feeling of self-empowerement and achievement

> Environmentally friendly (local--not shipped around the world)

> Much more economic than buying, especially with today's rising food

costs.

>  

> The size of an average operation would be 2-4 tomato plants (bush

high yield compact) staggered so that there would be some

available all year round, a variety of pepper plants, salad green such

as lettuce, chard, spinach etc...many of which give continuous yied,

as well as herbs both for flavoring and health. This would entail

using 2-4 buckets (made into self watering containers) as well as 2

shallower rectangular containers about 1.5 feet by 2.5 feet. Lighting

would be full spectrum daylight tubes which are cost effective (not

halogen--expensive and too hot) where natural light can't be utilized.

A timer would be used to simplify the process. Additional costs would

be soil, fertilizer/compost and seeds/seedlings. The project would use

all organic GMO free materials.

> The whole project could be put on patios and balconies in summer

growing season if available.

> While produce from the above would not address all daily

requirements, it would be a source of some very nutritoius content

every day for one or two people.

>  

> The following is 'ballpark'...

> Our cost as near as we can estimate at this point would be $100 to

$150(with lights). We would use a sliding scale of app. $150-$350

charge to customers to cover other details such as delivery

and installation. Ongoing help and advice would be provided by email

or phone--with periodic visits for upkeep. Once the system is

installed cost of upkeep would be minimal.

>  

> It is non-profit and all profits would be put back into the business

to improve and expand service. Of course we would need grants and

funding for start up--as well as utilise volunteers.

>  

> My question is--would you--as a senior (or future senior)--be

interested in this service?

>  

> Thanks for your input!

>  

> Cheers

> Bea

>  

> PS Keep in mind--as I'm sure you are all aware the fragility of our

'food security' and the projected shortage and rise in food costs.

>  

>