After 18 months of operating as a commercial hydroponic business, Mnogin Greenhouse is shifting to a community-driven social enterprise model that more closely aligns with the original vision of supporting food security, wellness, and capacity building for NFN.
As part of this transition, bulk commercial sales to restaurants and retailers have been phased out, with final harvests completed the week of June 30. That same week, we were pleased to welcome Tanya Stevens Langlois as our new Greenhouse Supervisor. Tanya is a proud member of NFN who has served in our maintenance department for the past 10 years, including the last six years as East End Maintenance Lead. We look forward to the energy and enthusiasm she brings to this new role with Mnogin.
During this pause in operations, we’ll train staff and prepare for the next chapter, which will emphasize community programming, inter-departmental partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
This strategic shift reflects a thoughtful and necessary response to operational realities. Although the greenhouse consistently sold out each week, high labour and energy costs made the commercial model financially unsustainable.
Approved by NFN’s leadership, this new direction positions Mnogin to support:
- Access to fresh produce for Elders, families and community programs
- Food security partnerships with Health, Education, Social Services, and Cultural departments
- Training and employment opportunities for youth and community members
- New initiatives, including community gardens, school programming, and food education workshops
“We’re building capacity from the ground up—literally and figuratively,” the team shared. “This next chapter is about growing food and growing opportunity.”
While operations will be temporarily paused during the transition and training period, we expect to resume production by the end of July, with the first new harvests available in early September. A small amount of produce will continue to be grown for training purposes and distributed through community programs.
Since ending commercial sales in mid-June, all remaining harvests have been donated to support local initiatives, including the NFN Food Bank, Good Food Boxes, True Self Outreach Program, Maamwi Wiisnida, Diner’s Club, and external organizations that serve vulnerable populations such as No More Tears West Nipissing and The Gathering Place in North Bay.
When we return to full production, we plan to relaunch our online store and continue our popular Grow Well Produce Pack subscription program, with a renewed focus on community access and involvement.
Stay tuned for opportunities to get involved—whether through employment, volunteering, or accessing fresh produce.
If you have any questions or would like to provide input, please contact:
Gen Couchie, Business Operations Manager
705 753-2050 ext. 1243
[email protected]
