Sitting in the parking lot of the Quad City Botanical Center, it looks more like a truck than a farm. But inside the container, a hydroponic farm will grow butterhead lettuce, radishes, and more.
The farming system was developed by a company called Freight Farms for the local nonprofit, Tapestry Farms.
Ann McGlynn is the executive director of Tapestry Farms. She says the urban farm can grow two-to-six tons of food per year.
"The food grown in the container will benefit, not only our nonprofit's operations, but will also feed people who face hunger in our community."
It was made possible by a grant from the John Deere Foundation. Spokeswoman Laura Eberlin says more people are hungry now than during the COVID pandemic.
"Food banks in our region are struggling with food donations going down, so they're seeing less retail donations, because retailers are becoming leaner with their inventory management."
"What we're seeing is an increase in food costs, and an increase of those who need food," she said. "So it's really important that we think about those innovative ways to grow food and get more food to people."
McGlynn says eventually, the hydroponic farm will grow "culturally relevant" food for immigrants and refugees in the Quad Cities.
The first crop will be planted and harvested this winter.