Urban Growth: Local food defies recession

It takes a special brand of bravery to climb a teetering ladder onto a second story rooftop. It takes an even braver person to do it three times a week with a bucket full of water in one hand.

For Ben Fishman, KU student and downtown Lawrence resident, it's not bravery that compels him, but thrift. Ever since the economy took its downturn, Fishman, like many other students, has been looking for easy and fun ways to pinch pennies. For him a rooftop garden was the answer.

"I eat a lot of produce and after a while buying it from the grocery store can add up, this just seemed like an entertaining way to save money and still eat right," said Fishman.

Locally grown vegetables at the Community Mercantile.
Photo by Jake

Local gardening has made a revival in Lawrence. Thanks to the recession, more and more people are realizing how easy and affordable it can be to grow their own produce. The agricultural awakening hasn't been limited to individuals. Restaurants and business owners are all finding ways of using gardening to help evade the pains of the economy. Gardens of all sizes can be found around downtown if one knows where to look. Even for those who aren't blessed with a green thumb, fresh, affordable, locally grown produce is lining the shelves all over town.

The management at Tellers was quick to find ways to save money. At the beginning of last year when the recession was just on the horizon, they decided that because of the popularity of their infamous Margherita pizza, growing their own basil would be an easy way to cut costs. "We knew basil would be the plant to focus on, we use it in so many dishes and we always seem to be running out of it", said Shawn Miller executive chef.

Located atop their 9^th and Mass. rooftop are six large black tubs, each brimming with herbs and spices. Beyond the initial investment in supplies, sprouts and dirt the only other expense is their monthly water bill. All of their hard work paid off, and now Tellers has access to an ample supply of fresh, organic, and most importantly affordable basil.

Not all of Lawrence's growth is above street level. Community gardens throughout town are making a big impact for some local businesses. Jim Grimes owner of Headmaster Salon has been the driving force behind the garden that sits next to his shop at 8th and Vermont.

The once vacant lot, which belongs to former mayor Bob Schumm, was revamped 2 years ago. Grimes spearheaded the project along with his partner at Headmaster Lee Heeter and friend Josh Millstein who manages the Casbah Market. To the three the garden is more of a hobby than a means of living, but the three have noticed how the garden has helped Lawrencians keep eating well even when times get tough.

Most of the produce that is harvested from the Vermont St. garden is sold at the Casbah Market. The business prides itself on organic, locally grown vegetables sold at an affordable price. The increased flow of produce out of the garden has helped the shop cut down its costs and Millstein passes the savings onto his customers. "When we have stuff coming out of the garden we can price it lower and people like it" said Millstein.

Organic food has a bad reputation for being overpriced. That's a false stereotype according to Patrick Hangauer Casbah employee, " Organic food still has the stigma of being expensive, but when you incorporate the local factor in it, it actually ends up being really inexpensive because you're not having to throw in the traveling costs and all the gas prices." Local contributors like the community gardens allow shops like the Casbah to offer Lawrencians who aren't able to tend their own garden a way to eat healthy and save money at the same time.

The Casbah isn't the only store that focuses on locally grown food. The Community Mercantile at 9^th and Iowa has been doing it since 1974. While the Merc offers a wider range of produce than the Casbah, because they are a larger store they are not able to offer the same bargains.

 Items at the Merc are comparatively priced, meaning that an item from an organic farm in California will often be priced the same as the same item that is locally grown. The difference lies in where the money goes. A higher percentage of the locally owned sale will go to the farmer, while the imported item will devote more of the profits to the shipping. Shopping at the Merc still supports local businesses but if beating the economy is the goal, there are better ways.

The recession has made everyone more money conscious. However for people who aren't ready to start sacrificing the quality of their food and want to support their city, there's still hope. Summer's almost over and growing season is running short. For anyone who wants an inexpensive source of fresh produce now is the time to start working. If the responsibility of a garden seems like too heavy a burden to bear, fresh, affordable produce is only a storefront away.