This month our Portraits of Promise series is highlighting Invincible City Farms, a social enterprise in the city of Camden, intending to start a sustainable food network. Invincible City Farms was founded by Fredrick Byarm, a Camden resident, who wanted to address Camden's food insecurities. In 2017 Fredrick Byarm was awarded a $25,000 grant through the Camden Catalyst pitch competition to be used to launch his business. Byarm is currently focused on buying land for farming facilities, with an estimated site announcement by the end of this year. 

Byarm’s goal is simple: create a self-sustainable food network in the City of Camden to address the food desert that the city currently has. He plans to do this by transforming unused old industrial sites and repurposing them for urban farming and food retail. He plans to start with a farmers market initially. Their long term plans include the creation of a residents owned co-op. His goal for this space is to provide 100 residents with jobs that pay a living wage and a food source for 9,000 residents daily. ICF's plans include replacing the city's industrial past with green farming practices, orchards, a bee colony, and reducing the carbon footprint by growing and buying locally. This is an innovative approach to urban development that respects the assets of the land and mitigates the negative impacts of human growth and has a substantial effect on the community's health.

Invisible City Farms vision is to leverage the assets and resources within the local neighborhoods of Camden: open and vacant land, residents available for employment, and an estimated $255 million local food marketplace. They seek to disrupt a broken food system and improve health outcomes within Camden, New Jersey.

You can find out more about Fredrick Byarm and Invisible City Farms by reading the full interview below and by checking out their website, http://invinciblecityfarms.com/

Q:Can you explain what your Business does or is? 

A:Invincible city farms is a project that is in the works in the city of Camden. We hope to grow,harvests,distributes, cook and prepare nutritious food for the residents of Camden. We plan to train and hire Camden residents in the process of food production packaging and distribution as well.

We have focused on transforming unused old industrial sites and repurposing them for urban farming and food retail. We will initially start with a farmers market. Our long term plans include the creation of a residents owned co-op. We are currently in the process of fundraising and anticipate the announcement of our site by the end of this year.

Q:What motivated you to open your Buisness in Camden?

A: I grew up in the City. I grew up on State St and in the South Waterfront neighborhood. I grew up here with my five sisters and mother so coming back to the city felt like coming back home.  

In my previous career, I was working in fine dining. In 2012 I started getting involved in distressed communities and working with vulnerable populations. I noticed that there was a lack of folks with my training and background in the foodservice industry who are focused on food access. 

I did a lot of research and there was a study by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission called "Cultivating Camden" where they outline how to stop Camden from being a food desert. I saw that they report findings where not being implemented and saw an opportunity to try and make a change and have a positive impact on the city.

Q:What are your hopes for the space/business? Ex. hope to be a unique space where the community can meet and share ideas...etc.

A:My hope for the space is to employ 100 Camden residents at a livable wage. We want to provide food for 9,000 residents year-round. 

We also hope to provide residents a choice of food in the city. We believe what makes us sustainable is providing the choice of food throughout the city at an attainable price point. Using aspects like apps and food delivery service.

We are not trying to change how people eat or provide the food they do not want. We expect that at least 9,000 residents will embrace the choice of having access to healthy food options. 

Q:How are you involved in the community in other ways? If so, what are you involved in and why?

A:I do speaking events in the Community to explain food nutrition. I have also done cooking demos and consulted on the building of community gardens. I do this because I think it's essential for Camden Residents to see the growth and utilization of healthy foods. I believe the more exposure to this, the more likely they are to utilize these resources.

Q:Do you have any advice for other businesses looking to move into the city or get involved

A:I think that to operate in the city of Camden you have to know the people of Camden. If you are not embraced by the residents you will have a hard time doing business with them. 

Q:Anything else that you would like to mention about your business, story or the city of Camden? 

A: I am proud of the people of Camden. It is a resilient group. There is not enough positive being stated about the people of Camden. They are a hard-nosed, determined, resilient group. That is the cornerstone of Invincible City Farms.