Protestors push back against proposed organic grain facility in Lower Ninth Ward

NEW ORLEANS — Protestors chanted outside the Sanchez Center Tuesday night as residents met with officials about a proposed organic grain facility at the Port of New Orleans.

The open house allowed neighbors to ask questions directly to Sunrise Foods, the Port of New Orleans and the railroad. Inside, company representatives explained that the project would move organic corn, soybeans and wheat off ships and into covered rail cars.

Sunrise leaders stress the project is not a traditional grain elevator. They say it will use enclosed systems and dust collection equipment to limit emissions.

“We’ve already invested about a million dollars into dust control systems, and we’re setting up four monitoring stations on the property,” said Michael Corbett, Sunrise Foods Executive Vice President. “