St. Louis Startup Good Life Growing Faces The Pandemic Head On And Changes Their Business Model
Local St. Louis startup, Good Life Growing, faces the COVID-19 pandemic head on as they make changes to their business model. During a time where staying home has become a necessity, Good Life Growing is doing all they can to bring their customers the meals they desire while keeping their safety a top priority and giving back to the local community.
Good Life Growing is an urban farming company that relies on Aquaponic, Hydroponic, Aeroponic, and other organic farming methods in order to produce quality, local food all year round. Their social enterprise is proud to be a community-based organization that is focused on combating urban decay and food insecurity in North St. Louis. Typically, their year-round produce supply is sold at stands in Soulard Market and Evans Farm throughout the week as well as at grocery stores and selling to restaurants. However, the company has recently made a pivot towards a home grocery delivery model and supply meal kits.
In partnership with Known & Grown, an initiative of the St. Louis Food Policy Coalition, Good Life Growing has been able to make this business model shift. Known & Grown, which includes more than 40 farmers, is working with its local partners like Fair Shares CCSA to get food out in new ways, as well as fostering public awareness. This initiative has allowed the company to develop new services such as home delivery and personal shoppers. Good Life Growing is also partnering with Chef Tai Davis to provide family meal kits to the #NorthSTL community from his brick & mortar store, Old North Provisions. Some of those meals are also donated to the underserved local community.
Additionally, from this business model, Good Life Growing has been able to see advantages in retailing. Since the switch has been made, their profit margins have been better than when they were selling to restaurants. However, this change in business model did lead Good Life Growing with some additional expenses. Luckily, a relief grant from Arch Grants, awarded to the company in 2018, has helped them meet their financial needs. Now, Good Life Growing has been able to turn a profit, meet their consumers needs and also give back to the community.
Read more about the Known & Grown initiative and Good Life Growing from Alive Magazine.