Producer

Located at our WesleyLife Meals on Wheels campus, The Prairie Meadows Hydroponic Farm is the only hydroponic farm in the nation that is part of a Meals on Wheels operation. We aim to produce 300 pounds of fresh produce each week, enhancing the quality of the meals we prepare and deliver to thousands of older Iowans and military veterans every day. Our farm primarily grows leafy greens used to serve our Meals on Wheels clients, as well as our WesleyLife Communities for Healthy Living, along with what is offered for sale directly. "Nourishing" Iowa is something we do every day as we work to combat food insecurity and social isolation in older adults and veterans through WesleyLife Meals on Wheels. All proceeds support the Des Moines area Meals on Wheels program. Our team delivers around 2,000 hot and healthy meals daily to Central Iowa, along with a friendly smile!

The 3000 square foot Prairie Meadows Hydroponic Farm has 47 vertical towers, or modules, that produce our Wesley Blend Spring Mix for the Meals on Wheels program alongside other products. In our Environmentally Controlled Farm, we use city water, ran through our reverse osmosis filter (RO water) in our hydroponics system, wavelength specific artificial lighting, and never have had need for any chemicals or sprays. The hydroponic water is tested weekly for contamination by the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa. The farm can be viewed by the public when visiting the basement of the Wesley Life Meals on Wheels facility, but entering the farm is not open to the public. Due to the vulnerable population that we serve, we have strict scrub in procedures and limited access to the farm in order to protect and ensure food safety.

Our Wesley Blend Spring Mix is pre-washed and ready to eat. Our other products are not washed, and should be washed before consumption.