About HydroHarvest

Our Mission

We aim to create a sustainable and reliable source of fresh produce for communities in Greater Washington through hydroponics

36% of residents in Greater Washington DC struggle with food insecurity. 19% of residents live more than a mile from a supermarket or a large grocery store

Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Report, 2025

Why Hydroponics?

Food insecurity and climate change are deeply interconnected. Fresh, sustainably grown produce is often far more expensive than processed foods, leaving vulnerable communities with the least access to healthy options. At the same time, conventional agriculture exacerbates climate change, leaving the communities most vulnerable to food insecurity among the hardest hit by climate change. Through hydroponics, we aim to address long-term food security amidst a changing climate.

90%

50%

Increases plant growth by

Decreases water use by

Compared to conventional agriculture, hydroponics

Our Hydroponic Grow Buckets

Our grow buckets are made from food-grade buckets sourced from restaurants, reducing plastic waste. They require minimal space and minimal maintenance, eliminating the need for outdoor space to grow food.

Learn More

"At HydroHarvest, we aim to combat immediate hunger in addition to the long-term systems that shape it. "

Stella Hong, founder & executive director

Meet the Team

Stella is an avid gardener and plant enthusiast who became empowered to advocate for agricultural sustainability and food insecurity after noticing a dearth of fresh produce at her local food bank. She wanted to find a way to empower families to grow their own produce sustainably, and after interning at George Mason's Hydroponic Greenhouse, she realized that hydroponics could be the solution. In her free time, Stella loves to bake and tend to her ever-expanding orchid collection.

Director of Design

Allison is passionate about STEM and computer science, and she enjoys teaching a STEM class to younger students in the community. After learning about food insecurity in her community, she became involved in HydroHarvest to bring sustainable methods to local families. Allison enjoys running cross country and track, competing at the States and National level. She also loves being a part of her school's choir.

Stella Hong

Founder & Executive Director

Allison Krogh

Kalliope Gonos

Director of Logistics

Kalliope is passionate about science, with particular enthusiasm surrounding environmental sustainability and health science. Kalliope enjoys working with younger audiences in order to educate the future generations. She hopes to pursue a career in health sciences. In her free time, Kalliope is a singer, an actor, and an award winning competitive cheerleader.

Rohan is committed to reducing food waste through composting and other sustainable methods. He is starting a compost program at his school and started a food share table to reduce waste and ensure no kid goes hungry. He also started a neighborhood program to encourage glass recycling. He joined HydroHarvest to combine his love for environmentalism and engineering through this innovative project. He enjoys engineering and STEM at school, loves playing tennis and hiking outdoors, and is a Vienna foodie.

Rohan Bhagat