Food bank 'growtainers' changing the produce game

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Nestled in the back of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma are two, very used shipping containers.

Now they're being reused to grow produce.

Eileen Bradshaw with the food bank said it's exciting to watch things take off.

"It looks like we're going to have a bumper crop if things continue to progress the way they are now," said Bradshaw.

The "growtainers" will change the way the food bank gets produce to the people they serve.

"They're just recycled shipping containers," said Bradshaw. "You can look on the outside, they're dented. They've definitely been used."

Bradshaw said they're already seeing a payoff.

"It gives us the ability to grow lettuce twelve months a year. Tomatoes twelve months a year," said Bradshaw.

The growtainers have special lighting, fresh water with fertilizer and oxygen pumped into them. The perfect environment for growth.

"With Oklahoma weather, this really makes a huge difference," said Bradshaw.

Paid for by a grant, Bradshaw said the turnaround from container to table is quick.

"They're coming in and harvesting it in the morning, it's going out on programs this afternoon. It will be on people's table the same day it was harvested," said Bradshaw.

Bradshaw said when times get tough for families, fresh produce is usually the first thing to go.

They're hoping the growtainers can help change all that.