An Advanced Hydroponic Greenhouse

Future S.E.T. (Science, Education, Technology) is proud to announce a cornerstone project in our journey to North America's first youth-led Agri-tech research centre:

We are building the first advanced hydroponic greenhouse in Windsor-Essex. This greenhouse will produce and distribute fresh, culturally relevant fruits, vegetables, and herbs year-round to support school meal programs in the Windsor-Essex region, starting with schools in the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB).

Why this matters

• The GECDSB currently serves 54 elementary schools and 14 secondary schools across Windsor and Essex County.

• Local school-meal programs already reach many students: according to United Way Windsor-Essex, the Ontario Student Nutrition Program feeds roughly 28,000 students across 94 participating schools in the region.

• However, rising food costs, seasonal supply limitations, and cultural dietary needs make it difficult for many marginalized families to access fresh, familiar produce. Especially those from in immigrant, marginalized, racialized, and newcomer communities.

Project Goals & Reach (Projections)

By integrating our hydroponic greenhouse output with school meal programs and local farmers’ markets:

• We aim to supply up to 40–60 schools within GECDSB and nearby boards over the first 3–5 years (holding capacity to scale as demand grows). That is roughly half to two-thirds of the region’s public schools!

• Due to an average of 400–500 students per school, this could translate to ~16,000–30,000 students receiving fresh, year-round produce through school meals!

• With support from local farmers’ markets and meal-program partners, we anticipate this produce reaching even more students and families, beyond just those enrolled in school, but also expanding to parents, siblings, and community members.

What We’ll Do with the Greenhouse

• Grow fresh fruits, vegetables, and culturally specific produce (e.g., greens and herbs significant for African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Francophone diets) using cutting-edge Agri-tech based farming.

• Supply existing school meal programs --> decreasing reliance on imported or seasonal produce, reducing costs, and ensuring consistent quality and availability year-round.

• Partner with local farmers’ markets to distribute surplus produce, helping meet rising demand in food-insecure communities and expanding reach across the county.

• Conduct hands-on Agri-Tech education: participants will have the opportunity to learn agri-tech methods such as; hydroponic farming, food sustainability, and nutrition

• Foster community engagement: parents, educators, and local organizations will be involved in shaping a food system that reflects Windsor-Essex’s culturally diverse population. This includes:

  • Retreats for community members and organizations

  • Agri-tech workshops: ex. Grow & Tell

  • A site for our research youth-led initiative: The Green Innovators Club

  • A site for community healing and identity

  • Tailored educational programs for students to explore environmental science and STEM through food cultivation

  • Community geared programming for members of all ages to learn about the climate-focused food movement

Why Now & Why Here

With food insecurity affecting a significant portion of households in Windsor-Essex --- particularly among racialized, low-income, and newcomer populations — this greenhouse offers a sustainable, inclusive, community-driven solution. Through this strategic location, we are directly reducing food-transport distances, supporting our local economy, and prioritizing the needs of the marginalized communities who face the highest barriers to accessing consistent, affordable, and culturally appropriate food.

Call to Action & Community Engagement

We’re building this project in partnership with local stakeholders, and we need your support! Follow Future S.E.T. on instagram: @futureset.hq for real-time updates as we progress from construction, seedlings planting, and harvesting. Share with friends, family, and local organizations to increase our impact, and reach a larger audience. Together, we can transform school nutrition in Windsor-Essex and ensure no student goes hungry or lacks access to culturally meaningful meals