Project 466505

Northern communities have limited access to fruits and vegetables. This makes it easier to develop health problems. Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) in northern Manitoba near The Pas, has a high rate of diabetes. Almost 47% of adults in OCN have diabetes. Community members said consuming a good diet (fruits and vegetables, low fat, etc.) makes them feel healthy. But fruits and vegetables are hard to come by. They are expensive, poor quality, and not available year-round. OCN has made it a priority to make fresh foods more available. In 2016, a smart vertical farm (SVF) was built in OCN. The farm grows vegetables on shelves using LED lights. The light settings can be altered to optimize growing conditions. Initial tests showed SVF vegetables to be higher in nutrients than store-bought vegetables. Brassica vegetables (broccoli, cabbage etc.) contain glucosinolates (GSL). These nutrients improve diabetes. Strong LED light can increase GSL. This means SVF Brassica vegetables could be better at fighting diabetes than those grown in other conditions. You may not have to eat as much to have the same benefit. For our research, we will be measuring GSL in SVF broccoli sprouts. Broccoli sprouts are high in GSL. We will also be feeding the sprouts to rats with diabetes. We want to know if SVF sprouts can prevent or treat diabetes. We are working with OCN on this project. This research could help OCN combat diabetes. This work supports the long-term goal to reduce health care costs and vegetables transportation from the south.