Fort Worth-based innovator advocates for low-tech tools to fight food deserts and empower underserved communities
FORT WORTH, TX / ACCESS Newswire / May 13, 2025 / Marc Walraven, founder of UrbanRooted Innovations, is calling attention to the power of simplicity in tackling one of America's overlooked challenges: food deserts. Through his work designing low-cost, low-tech vertical farming systems, Walraven is raising awareness about how communities can take food access into their own hands-without relying on expensive technology.
"There's this idea that everything has to be connected to Wi-Fi or come with an app," Walraven says. "But most people just need something that works. They need tools they can fix themselves."
Food deserts - areas where residents lack access to affordable and nutritious food - affect over 19 million Americans, according to the USDA. In urban environments like Fort Worth, families are often surrounded by fast food chains but have no nearby grocery store. This lack of access contributes to poor health, limited food education, and a sense of disconnection from how food is grown.
Walraven's solution is straightforward. His SkyGrow system, built from recycled parts and powered by solar energy, uses aeroponics to grow plants without soil. The systems are already in use at schools, community centres, and even veterans' groups in Fort Worth. In one example, six towers behind a middle school cafeteria gave students their first taste of fresh basil-grown by their own hands.
"I grew up in a neighbourhood where we didn't always have healthy food options," Walraven says. "This isn't just about nutrition - it's about dignity and ownership."
Unlike many agricultural tech ventures, Walraven rejects overengineering. His systems can be built and maintained with basic tools, making them ideal for schools, households, and underserved communities. He offers free workshops across Fort Worth to share his process and empower others to start small, build locally, and solve real problems with what they have.
"Engineering taught me that simplicity is harder than it looks," Walraven explains. "But it's also more useful. If you can fix it with a screwdriver, you've got something that can last."
Walraven encourages people not to wait for big solutions. Start with what you have. A container, some tubing, and a willingness to learn are often enough. Whether it's a classroom, a backyard, or a rooftop, growing food doesn't need to be high-tech - it just needs to be hands-on.
About Marc Walraven
Marc Walraven is a Fort Worth-based engineer, urban farming innovator, and founder of UrbanRooted Innovations. He designs solar-powered vertical farming systems that help individuals and communities grow fresh food in tight spaces, with minimal water and simple tools. His focus is on real-world solutions that reduce food insecurity and empower people to grow for themselves.
Contact: info@marcwalraven.com
To learn more about Marc's story, read the full interview here.
SOURCE: Marc Walraven
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