A state agency approved three projects on Tuesday to give Atlantic city dwellers more food options. Ideal Institute of Technology's plans to transform a four-story parking garage into a community services center with a food market, an indoor aquaponic farming facility, and other uses at 7 South Carolina Ave. received land use clearance from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The group used a $4 million Local Property Acquisition grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to purchase the 20,000-square-foot garage in June of last year. The Ideal Community Co-op "aligns with larger initiatives to enhance the local economy and eradicate food deserts."



