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Community. This word means more now than it ever has in the past. In a time when we’re often so disconnected from both each other and the planet, it can be really hard to find connection and community in a meaningful way. Fortunately for Toledoans, it’s not really that hard of a search. Urban Wholistics has got you covered. In the pursuit of health and wellness wrapped up in beauty, Sonia Flunder-McNair has been working for over ten years to grow and expand the land and farming functions of Urban Wholistics, operating year round bringing educational and healthful programs to kids and adults alike around the city.
Greener equals healthier
Sonia’s mission has always been a simple one; create a healthier, stronger, greener community. Urban Wholistics spans nearly an entire block of lots owned by the organization with plans to expand, build and fence the entire operation for farming and education. Currently, work is being done to make all parts of Urban Wholistics accessibility friendly so all people who visit can have access to everything. Everything from organic farming, to raising Silkie hens for free-range eggs happens here. There are even plans to build a Monarch Butterfly waystation down the line to attract the beautiful and endangered insects to the property. It’s all in the service of providing educational programs to kids to instill just how deeply connected their lives are to farming and agriculture. Clothing, medicine, food, nearly every industry you can think of can trace its origins back to agriculture. “Kids don’t really make this connection until you teach it to them.” Sonia explains.
Urban Wholistics is registered with the USDA and Sonia has put in the work to lock in an application for a five year contract to remediate and heal the soil by growing cover crops over the nutrient deficient soil in the city. “You have to amend it before you can start growing plants, testing the soils for heavy metals like lead.” Abandoned houses are a large part of the problem. Toledo homes are often very old and houses back from beyond the 50’s often have lead in them through either the pipes, paint or framework. As abandoned houses are left to rot or are demolished and cleaned slowly, that lead can seep into the soil, contaminating it for future use.
What’s happening?
Urban Wholistics is constantly working hard to up its game and bring new and exciting offers to the public. Operating year round, every day brings education in everything from Monarch Butterflies to crocheting. Kids have access to homework support ad healthy, delicious meals prepared on site with ingredients they might never have been exposed to, sometimes even using ingredients they grow themselves. Urban Wholistics is especially proud of their selection of homemade smoothies made inside the store across the street, and mango turmeric is a highly sought after flavor.
Coming up on the calendar is the Gala happening on October 17th at the Olivet Life Center, with a host of chefs coming to strut their stuff and teach the community. All proceeds go toward the further development of Urban Wholistics. And don’t forget to check out the Youth Farmer’s Market on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the summer months between 11 and 2 PM. WIC and senior coupons are accepted. Urban Wholistics is located on Tatum Park 1209 City Park Ave. Toledo, OH and their headquarters can be found at 619 Woodland Ave., Toledo, OH 43604. Visit their website at https://www.urbanwholistics.org/ for more information on future events and programs for a brighter, greener life.
