20 for 20: The Hydroponic Mission

20 for 20: The Hydroponic Mission is a transformative Ontario-wide initiative by Future S.E.T. (Science, Education, Technology) designed to combat food insecurity in Black and racialized communities using hydroponic technology, youth leadership, and community capacity building. Supported by provincial funding, this project equips 20 Black-led and minority-serving organizations across Ontario with:

• A full hydroponic growing system

• Agri-tech and sustainability training

• Community nutrition and culturally relevant food-growing workshops

• Youth-led learning opportunities

• One full year of free growing supplies to ensure immediate success

This project is intentionally centered in Ontario, where the crisis is most urgent

Why focus on Black communities in Ontario?

1. Ontario has the largest Black population in Canada

• In 2021, 15.5% of Ontario’s population identified as Black, totaling over 778,000 people

  • (Note: Ontario houses more than half of all Black people in Canada)

2. Food insecurity among Black Ontarians is among the highest in the province

• National research (consistent across provinces) shows up to 39.2% of Black households experience food insecurity

• This is the highest rate among all racial groups

• Applied to Ontario, this means nearly 300,000 Black Ontarians struggle to afford food consistently

Nearly 1 in every 2 Black people in Ontario is food insecure.

This rate is:

• Higher than the provincial average

• One of the highest rates amongst all racial and ethnic groups

3. Economic barriers deepen the crisis

Black communities in Ontario face:

• Higher unemployment rates

• Wage inequities

• Higher rates of poverty

• Rising cost of living

• Limited access to affordable cultural foods

• Higher likelihood of living in food deserts

Even Black households above the poverty line are still significantly more likely to experience food insecurity due to systemic inequities.

4. Dependence on imported cultural foods raises costs

Many Black Ontarians are immigrants or part of immigrant families that rely on imported foods such as:

• Callaloo (amaranth greens)

• Spinach

• Kale

• Lettuce varieties

• African/Caribbean leafy greens (various amaranths)

• Herbs (e.g., basil, mint, thyme, parsley)

• Scotch bonnet peppers (hydroponic-friendly)

• Sweet/hot peppers

Imports are:

• Expensive

• Delayed

• Vulnerable to global disruptions

• Often inaccessible in low-income neighbourhoods

20 for 20 solves this by growing these foods HERE in Ontario -- all year long.

What the 20 for 20 Hydroponic Mission Will Do in Ontario

✔️ 1. Build local, culturally relevant food production for the diverse Black communities within our province

Each site grows foods that matter to African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Black immigrant communities — reducing cost, increasing access, and supporting cultural identity.

✔️ 2. Increase food sovereignty for Black communities

By making Black-serving organizations primary food producers, communities gain direct control over their food access.

✔️ 3. Empower youth across Ontario

Through this program, Future S.E.T's youth lead workshops on:

• hydroponics

• agri-tech

• sustainable food systems

• entrepreneurship

• nutrition education

  ...and so much more!

✔️ 4. Reduce dependency on imports and expensive grocery chains

Local hydroponic production brings stability, affordability, and independence.

✔️ 5. Build a province-wide movement

20 community organizations become part of a network of youth-led food hubs -- sharing knowledge, food, innovation and impact across Ontario.

The Importance of Culturally Relevant Food

Cultural food is essential for:

• identity

• emotional connection

• community wellbeing

• mental health

• family traditions

Future S.E.T. regularly speaks about this in our blog, emphasizing that culturally relevant food is not a luxury -- it is a necessity. The 20 for 20 mission embeds this principle at its core.

A Community-Powered Movement

This project exists because the provincial government invested in the future of Black food security — but ending food insecurity will require all of us, from families to grassroots groups to partners.

20 for 20 is not just a project.It is a call to action. A youth-led movement to end food insecurity in Ontario — one hydroponic system at a time.

Follow our progress and stay tuned for real-time updates as each of the 20 organizations begins growing, harvesting, and feeding communities across the province.