Island Grown Initiative is one step closer to transforming Thimble Farm into a local food source for Island schools.

The nonprofit, which works to increase food advocacy and education, announced in late November that it had harvested the first of its hydroponically grown salads at Thimble Farm. The greens will be packaged onsite and offered to school cafeterias.

IGI said it hopes to offer schools and other institutions the opportunity to purchase local greens and vegetables during the winter months, when Island farm fields are traditionally dormant.

Farm manager Keith Wilda has been working since May to repair the 33,000-square-foot glass greenhouse on the Thimble Farm property, which was purchased in June 2012 by two seasonal residents and donated to IGI. Mr. Wilda has also revived and updated the hydroponic system first built in 1980s by former owners Bud and Pat Moscow.

Seeds that were planted on Oct. 3 will harvest about 80 pounds of salad greens, IGI said. Herbs will be ready in the coming weeks.