FLANNER FARMS
Food Justice

A Community-Focused Farm

When the last area grocery store closed in 2015, the Northwest side of Indianapolis went from being “food insecure” to full-blown “food apartheid”. In 2016, Flanner Farms opened as a 2-acre farm in the heart of the Northwest food desert. Flanner Farms, which includes commercial greenhouses, provides many healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate produce options for the community through Cleo’s Bodega and Cafe. As a key part of the greater Food Justice Initiative at Flanner House, the farm operation works toward empowering the local community to become more self-sufficient by providing education and employment opportunities. Flanner Farms is proud to be a part of a growing network of resurgent urban farms in the community all working to combat food insecurity through education and accessibility.

In 2023, Flanner Farms expanded to include a commercial greenhouse location near the campus. The greenhouse enables us to extend our growing season into a year-long operation. This will help us keep Cleo’s Bodega and Café stocked throughout the year and provide fresh, healthy options to the community.

Volunteers share our work in creating a more just and equitable world through our commitment to expanding food accessibility in our community.

Volunteer

F.E.E.D – Farming, Education, Employment and Distribution

Flanner House Food Justice Department

The Flanner House Food Justice Department, the F.E.E.D. (Farming, Education, Employment, and Distribution) program was born as a direct outreach program to the youth of the northwest Indianapolis community. F.E.E.D is designed to develop knowledge, skills and opportunities for youth ages 16 to 24, who have experienced a number of societal hurdles, including chronic unemployment, engagement in the legal system, learning disabilities, as well as the lack of a GED. We work to assist participants to become gainfully employed, adequately educated, economically stable, and socially engaged within the growing sectors of the local food economy in Indianapolis.

The major components of the food distribution and sales training offered by our organization include Flanner House Farm and Cleo’s Bodega. After training at the urban farm is completed, participants are trained in food distribution strategies at Cleo’s Bodega that empower our youth to grasp the importance of local foods and the care and labor that it takes to cultivate them, fostering a deeper connection and appreciation for the journey our food takes from the farm to the table.

Food Justice Initiative

For more than 125 years, Flanner House Inc. has been a hub of community support and resilience for northwest Indianapolis. Since its inception, the Flanner House Food Justice Program has always emphasized the idea of self-sufficiency and empowerment to people of all ages experiencing hardship due to lack of income and food instability. There’s a tendency to talk about food insecurity in urban neighborhoods where society uses terms like “food deserts.”

At Flanner House, we don’t use language like that. Deserts are a naturally occurring phenomenon, and there is absolutely nothing natural about entire neighborhoods and communities lacking access to food. Within the 46208 and 46205 zip codes, there is a complete absence of quality, healthy food options. For us, hunger and access to resources is about action and sovereignty. Flanner Farms, Greenhouses and Cleo’s Bodega and Café do not come from a place of insecurity and instability, but function in the pursuit of justice.

OKUAFO PA

Adinkra Meaning

The Okuafo Pa means “good farmer.” It is a symbol of diligence, hard work and entrepreneurship. These skills are practiced every day on the Flanner Farms and Greenhouses. The results of this labor are growth of individuals and produce, and mindful growth of community.

Around the Farm

OTHER PROGRAMS

Our PROGRAMS

Flanner House focuses on Education, Housing, Wellness, Peace and Safety, and Economic Development, and Food Justice, we are prepared to serve the evolving needs of our area residents.

all programs

flanner farms

A community-focused farm on the Flanner House campus

Cleo’s Bodega Grocery & Cafe

A community store and café