We're growing Produce Purpose with two goals in mind - to offer meaningful employment to individuals with special needs and to bring healthy, nutritional food to college campuses
The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is at crisis levels, 82.1 percent nationally in 2020. The prevalence and cost of poor diet is also a crisis. This is particularly evident on college campuses where problematic eating behaviors are typical. Hydroponic farming is a proven, affordable technology that facilitates high volume production of non-GMO, pesticide-free, ultra-fresh vegetables with a minimal space/resource footprint. Hydroponic farms are sensory-friendly environments involving many hands-on tasks that are well suited for members of the special needs community. Produce Purpose leverages hydroponic farming to employ people with special needs to bring fresh, healthy produce to campus dining.
Welcome to our Garden
our Values
Everything we do at Produce Purpose is driven by a well-defined set of values, which emphasize safety, respect, purpose, kindness, transparency and having fun.
Why Hydroponics?
Four out of every five humans will reside in urban areas by 2050. Demographic projections estimate that three billion more people will populate the earth in the mid 21st century. Accommodating this population growth will require no less than 1,000,000,000 hectares of agricultural land. This projection is particularly alarming given current farming trends - 80% of the earth’s land that is suitable for raising crops is in use, while an additional 15% has been rendered agriculturally useless due to poor land management practices. Put simply, the human species will run out of land for agricultural production within the next three decades. Hydroponic farming, which requires only a small footprint in both space and energy, provides a practical, long-term solution to this otherwise intractable challenge.
our team
Our dedicated team grows more than just hydroponic gardens. We grow a sense of our shared responsibility for the well-being of others.
Matthew Harvey
Executive Director
Matthew graduated Davidson College in 2017, with a Bachelor's in Political Science and a Minor in Theater. He has been actively engaged in the nonprofit sector for more than a decade; he founded the ACT-TWO philanthropy that brings the experience of professional live theater to the under-served since 2011. He has performed in over 40 theatrical productions. In his spare time, Matthew volunteers with Special Olympics and the Special Theater Arts of Raleigh troupe. Matthew also voraciously consumes musical theater scores and U.S. presidential history.
Gregory Harvey
Farmer
Gregory is a Special Olympics swimming champion with the Raleigh Racers. He loves all things Disney. Blessed with beguiling charm, Gregory loves drawing, cycling, reading, playing his Nintendo Switch and exchanging text messages with others using his Samsung Galaxy Watch.
Patrick Harvey (1994-2019)
Chief Inspirational Officer
Patrick graduated with honors from William Peace University with a degree in Theater. He was known for his kindness and joyful spirit. He performed in countless productions throughout the Triangle, including main stage shows at both the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts and the Durham Performing Arts Center; he was fearlessness on stage. Patrick's life was cut short by Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2019. This endeavor is dedicated to his remarkable life. Patrick will always be in our hearts and an inspirational member of our team.
to our Diners
If you happen to be sitting at a table enjoying our ultra-fresh produce at this very moment, we are thrilled you're here and supporting our worthy cause.