Seed to table: Hydroponic garden helps Greater Chicago Food Depository feed neighbors

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Inside the Greater Chicago Food Depository is a new garden of sorts.

Fragrant herbs are sprouting from four high-tech hydroponic units.

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"We grow what the kitchen generally requests," said Mick O'Donnell, the food bank's hydroponic specialist. "Right now, basil and dill are a seasonal product. Over the winter, we are growing sage and chives, parsley and cilantro, and we look forward to growing more exciting things."

The food bank is using soil-free technology to grow the ingredients year-round.

"Water is actually being pumped up and then is water falling down. So it's cascading down over the roots," O'Donnell said. "It's harvested today; it's refrigerated today. And it can be used tomorrow. So it's as fresh as it gets. It's hyperlocal."

"I love harvesting," volunteer Rita Pineda said. "It's nice at the end. We have our big bags; we know it's going to the kitchen. It's going to be freshly prepared."

That shipping-free, hyperlocal speed is a win for the environment. It's also a win for the food bank's bottom line.

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The freshly picked herbs are then emulsified and blended into marinades and sauces for thousands of daily meals.

"It's a big game-changer. It's a pretty incredible opportunity. Herbs are not readily available for donations; so they're also often quite cost-prohibitive, as well, at least in the quantity that we're using," said Michael Goss, GCFD executive chef. "We're preparing right now about 2,000 meals a day and in the near term, looking to expand to roughly 5,000 meals a day."

Every chef-driven meal is made from scratch and then flash-frozen. They are then delivered specifically to older adults and people with disabilities who may struggle to cook or get to a grocery store.

"Having the access to the sheer volume that's being brought in to drive this menu is amazing. It really is what helps us maintain a very, very high level of quality freshness, ensuring that these meals taste wonderful and meet the nutrition needs of our neighbors, as well," Goss said.

The Food Depository is already looking to expand and add more hydroponic units, but the need for food in the Chicago area remains great.

Find out more here.