Help GrowNYC Win a New Grow Truck!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by GrowNYC

Grow Truck is GrowNYC’s mobile tool-lending program, delivering tools, donated plants, soil, compost, and lumber, and dispensing on-site technical assistance all across New York City, for free since 1977.

We’ve had our current Grow Truck for 23 years, and it’s time for a new one – and you can help us get a brand new truck by voting for GrowNYC in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good contest on Facebook.

On Sunday May 20th, go to 100carsforgood.com and vote for GrowNYC. In the meantime, you can “Attend” our Facebook event so you get a reminder to vote for us on the 20th.

Until May 20th, watch the video we made especially for this contest, and look through some of our photos below of the Grow Truck’s past 35 years. And by all means – if you’ve got a project that you need to borrow tools for, let us know!

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The Northeast Grainshed: 2011 Season in Review – Part 3: Retail Innovations and Spring 2012 Preview

Posted on April 30, 2012 by GrowNYC

The increasing prevalence of grains on New York area farms and in processing facilities throughout the region has manifested itself as a spectacular and delicious array of products and end uses in New York City, and around the Northeast. Conversations with businesses putting these locally-grown grains to work demonstrates a creativity and enthusiasm worthy of the hard work that has gone into their production.

Bakeries are typically the first to come to mind when thinking about how consumers enjoy local grains and flours. The role that Greenmarket and its bakers have played in stimulating this facet of the food system confirms this important relationship. In 2010, interested in encouraging its bakers to be more mission supportive, Greenmarket implemented its Bakers Rules, which required bakers at market to use a minimum of 15% local flour in their breads and baked goods. Many staff and farmers in the Greenmarket community felt it only fair that bakers, who had long relied on commodity flours, incorporate practices into their businesses that would support local foods and farms. The 15% level was chosen in order to both create significant pressure on the Northeast grain-shed to grow, while recognizing that local flour was still somewhat of a novelty.

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NY Times covers GrowNYC’s efforts to establish Wholesale Farmers Market / Food Hub

Posted on April 26, 2012 by GrowNYC


The New York Times recently profiled local efforts to include regional farmers in the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, including GrowNYC’s proposal to expand our Wholesale Greenmarket to include a Regional Food Hub that would provide valuable opportunity and space for more than 100 local farmers and producers.

GrowNYC, the agency that runs a network of 57 retail green markets with 240 small-scale farmers, has proposed a $12 million center at or near the Hunts Point terminal. It would have indoor space providing refrigeration and storage for 80 farmers and space for complementary businesses like makers of local cheeses and preserves. The plan also envisions an outdoor site for an additional 50 farmers.

Marcel Van Ooyen, the agency’s executive director, said that such a hub would allow farmers to set their own prices, sell directly to wholesale customers and keep more money in their pockets, just as the small farmers do. “We think this is a huge game changer,” he said.

GrowNYC’s Wholesale Greenmarket, located at the Fulton Fish Market in the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in the Bronx, offers over 100 local and regional farm-fresh products including fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants, and flowers at competitive wholesale prices and quantities. Wholesale Greenmarket is open April to December, Tuesday – Saturday from 2:00 AM – 8:00 AM.

Read the article.

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GrowNYC’s Hurricane Relief Distributes $100,000+ to Regional Farmers

Posted on April 23, 2012 by GrowNYC

GrowNYC is pleased to announce that $100,862 in donated funds has been distributed to regional farmers who were hit hardest by last summer’s storms. When Tropical Storms Irene and Lee severely impacted 80% of Greenmarket producers last September, our community rallied together to help overcome the damage that was wrought. Greenmarket customers held benefit potlucks, concerts and after-work parties; a group of food writers organized the successful Dine Out Irene in which over one hundred restaurants donated a percentage of their sales from a Sunday in late September; instead of a wedding registry, a woman asked her friends and family to make donations to farmers, and close to $5,000 was raised by customers who opened their pocketbooks at Greenmarkets around the city to make donations directly to the GrowNYC Hurricane Relief Fund.

“The generosity that Greenmarket shoppers showed during this time of need is proof of the valuable relationships that develop between farmers and customers at market,” says GrowNYC Executive Director Marcel Van Ooyen. “While these storms had less of an impact on the city, New Yorkers felt the gravity of the situation through their rural neighbors and friends who sell at Greenmarket.”

One hundred percent of all funds raised by GrowNYC for Hurricane Relief were given directly to farmers. The funds were distributed based on need in two waves of grants—one in December and one in March. Recipients report that these resources have helped them overcome last September’s losses, and get a good start on the new season. In addition to repairing flood-damaged machinery and barns, farmers have used their grants to purchase seeds, laying hens, truck parts, pay fuel bills, and much more.

“I could have pulled any number of other bills from the stack of need last fall,” said Richard Giles of Lucky Dog Farm, explaining how he spent his relief check from GrowNYC. The bills paid by the Hurricane Relief Fund covered “Vegetable twist ties, a power bill, a seed bill, one for truck tires, another for truck parts, and one for potting soil. I am so thankful to Greenmarket for coordinating this wonderful support.” With this assistance, Lucky Dog was able to continue selling at the Fort Greene and Union Square Greenmarkets through the winter, and is now launching into the 2012 growing season. “Greenmarket is our survival plan,” said Giles.

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Food Scrap & Textile Recycling at More Greenmarkets!

Posted on April 18, 2012 by GrowNYC

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by visiting your local Greenmarket to recycle food scraps and textiles? GrowNYC is happy to help, with new sites for dropping off unwanted clothing, linens, and fruit & veggie scraps opening this weekend and throughout the Spring.

Thanks to the support of community partners the Western Queens Compost Initiative, Lower East Side Ecology Center and Wearable Collections, this collective effort takes aim at nearly one-quarter of NYC’s residential waste stream and has diverted 1.8 million pounds from disposal so far.

Here’s a handy chart to help you locate collection sites near you. Please note the hours for each collection differ from each other as well as market hours, due to routing and scheduling requirements of our community partners. Learn more about textile recycling and what to bring and find out what’s accepted for composting.

BOROUGH GREENMARKET ACCEPTING TEXTILES? ACCEPTING FOOD SCRAPS?
Brooklyn Bay Ridge Greenmarket
3rd Ave & 95th St		 NO YES – Saturdays, 8am-1:30pm May 12 – Nov 17, 2012
Brooklyn Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket
Court & Montague		 YES – Saturdays, 8am-4:30pm starts April 21, 2012 YES – Saturdays, 8am-4pm
Brooklyn Carroll Gardens Greenmarket
Carroll St b/t Smith & Court		 YES – Sundays, 8am-2:30pm starts April 22, 2012 YES – Sundays, 8am-1pm starts April 22, 2012
Brooklyn Cortelyou Greenmarket
b/t Argyle & Rugby Rds		 YES – Sundays, 8am-3pm starts April 22, 2012 YES – Sundays, 8am-2pm starts April 22, 2012
Brooklyn Ft. Greene Greenmarket
Washington Park at DeKalb		 YES – Saturdays, 8am-3pm YES – Saturdays, 8am-3pm
Brooklyn Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
NW corner of Prospect Park		 YES – Saturdays, 8am-4pm YES – Saturdays, 8am-3:30pm
Brooklyn McCarren Park Greenmarket
Union Ave b/t Driggs & N 12th St		 YES – Saturdays, 8am-2pm YES – Saturdays, 8am-2pm
Brooklyn Sunset Park Greenmarket
4th Ave b/t 59th & 60th Sts		 NO YES – Saturdays, 8am-1pm June 23 – Nov 17, 2012
Brooklyn Windsor Terrace – PS 154 Greenmarket
PS 154, 11th Ave b/t Sherman & Windsor Pl		 NO YES – Sundays, 8am-1:30pm July 8 – Nov 18, 2012
Manhattan 57th St Greenmarket
57th St & 9th Ave		 YES – Saturdays, 8am-12:30pm April 21 – Dec 22, 2012 YES – Saturdays, 8am-1pm April 21 – Dec 22, 2012
Manhattan 79th St Greenmarket
79th & Columbus		 NO YES – Sundays, 9am-1:30pm starts May 20, 2012
Manhattan 82nd St Greenmarket
82nd St b/t 1st & York		 YES – Saturdays, 9am-2pm starts April 21, 2012 YES – Saturdays, 9am-2pm starts April 21, 2012
Manhattan 92nd Street Greenmarket
92nd St & 1st Ave		 NO YES – Sundays, 9am-1pm Jun 17 – Dec 23, 2012
Manhattan 97th St Greenmarket
W 97th & Columbus		 YES – Fridays, 8am-2pm NO
Manhattan Abingdon Square Greenmarket
W12th St & 8th Ave		 YES – Saturdays, 8am-1pm starts April 21, 2012 YES – Saturdays, 8am-1pm
Manhattan Columbia University Greenmarket
Broadway b/t 114th & 115th Sts		 YES – Sundays, 8am-3pm starts April 22, 2012 YES – Sundays, 8am-1pm starts April 22, 2012
Manhattan Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Greenmarket
E 47th St & 2nd Ave		 YES – Wednesdays, 8am-3pm starts April 25, 2012 NO
Manhattan Inwood Greenmarket
Isham b/t Seaman & Cooper		 YES – Saturdays, 8am-3pm YES – Saturdays, 8am-12pm
Manhattan Tompkins Square Greenmarket
E 7th St & Ave A		 YES – Sundays, 8am-4pm YES – Sundays, 8am-1pm starts April 22, 2012
Manhattan Tribeca Greenmarket
Greenwich St at Chambers		 YES – Saturdays, 8am-1:30pm starts April 21, 2012 YES – Saturdays, 8am-2pm
Manhattan Tucker Square Greenmarket
66th St & Columbus Ave		 NO YES – Saturdays, 8am-1:30pm starts April 21, 2012
Manhattan Union Square Greenmarket
NE Section of Union Square Park		 YES – Saturdays and Mondays, 8am-4pm YES – Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, 8am-5pm
Queens Jackson Heights Greenmarket
34th Ave b/t 77 & 78 Sts		 YES – Sundays, 8am-2pm YES – Sundays, 9am-12pm
Queens Socrates Sculpture Park Greenmarket
Vernon and Broadway		 NO YES – Saturdays, 9am-12pm June 23 – Nov 17, 2012
Queens Sunnyside Greenmarket
Skillman Ave b/t 42 & 43 St		 NO YES – Saturdays, 9am-12pm June 2 – Nov 17, 2012
Staten Island St. George Greenmarket
St. Marks & Hyatt Sts		 NO YES – Saturdays, 8am-1:30pm May 12 – Nov 17, 2012
Staten Island Staten Island Mall Greenmarket
Richmond Ave entrance (Parking Lot)		 NO YES – Saturdays, 9am-1pm June 23 – Dec 22, 2012
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Rampwatch ’12: Ramps are here!

Posted on March 28, 2012 by GrowNYC

What do airports, interstate highways, skateboard parks, and Greenmarket all have in common?

THEY ALL HAVE RAMPS!

Want to get your hands on some ramps? At the Union Square Greenmarket, you can get them on Mondays from Race Farm and on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Mountain Sweet Berry Farm.

They’ll be appearing at more and more farms at your local Greenmarket in the near future.

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Some of GrowNYC’s Best Volunteers

Posted on March 26, 2012 by GrowNYC

We are truly thankful for the time volunteers commit to helping GrowNYC provide resources for a better NYC. Meet a few of our awesome volunteers!

JOE BUCK

As an Open Space Greening volunteer with GrowNYC, Joe has led teams of volunteers at Greening’s biggest event of the year, the Annual Spring Plant Sale, which distributes plants to over 500 neighborhood garden projects every year.

Why he does it: I enjoy the opportunities with GrowNYC and the community gardens because I get to tap into my imaginary “Inner-Gardener” in the midst of the urban jungle. “To be of service” was instilled in me growing up, so it feels natural to lend a hand. Besides, being self-absorbed is far more exhausting.

The best part: Getting dirty! My job is a suit and tie. So having the opportunity to dig in the dirt, learn about a flower or vegetable or help create an oasis in what was once an empty lot is magical. It sounds bit corny, but I mean it.

The impact: It connects resources with needs! It gives people the opportunity to step out their comfort zones and actually be part of the solution. Each one teach one, right?!

NANCY RAPHAEL

As a recycling volunteer with GrowNYC, Nancy has helped teach New Yorkers about composting and contributed to successful recycling at large events.

Why she does it: I thoroughly believe that it takes a collective effort to make a difference and enjoy working with GrowNYC staff and fellow volunteers who have dedication visible in their faces. I do not view my volunteering experience as giving up my Saturday or Sunday, or as sacrificing my sleep. Instead, I see it as contributing my time to making a big difference in changing the carbon footprint of New York and I am proud to be a part of such a large task.

The best part: The fun of engaging with New Yorkers and asking them to take care of the city they live in and think of the world they are a part of as well as connecting with fellow volunteers. I also enjoy the camaraderie between recycling volunteers that makes for a successful effort.

The impact: As people become more and more conscious, they will feel compelled to volunteer their time and recycle at home and everywhere they may be–picking up stuff on the ground or advising others to recycle.

ERIN EASTERN

As a Greenmarket volunteer with GrowNYC, Erin staffs Union Square Greenmarket’s Market Information Station and answers customer questions while assisting with cooking demonstrations and other market promotions.

Why I do it: I volunteer because I believe in the farmers market/food justice movement and enjoy being helpful to the Market Managers so that they can run one of the best Public Markets in the world. I am proud to be a small part in the success of Greenmarket. Also, I love being outside rain or shine. As an indoor worker during the week, I genuinely miss the time I spent working outdoors and the feeling of being out there (especially when the weather is beautiful, of course).

The best part: Having a community that is separate from my work, family, and friends. The people I meet through Greenmarket cross the usual cultural boundaries (e.g. urban/rural, young/old, farmer/organizer) and broaden my social world. I enjoy meeting the other volunteers and learning how they came to Greenmarket; making new friends that also have an interest in food justice, urban growing, CSA’s, and a myriad of other cool things unrelated to food like film studies, United States law, and sports.

The impact: The larger impact of Greenmarket is huge and I like thinking about how I am part of what they accomplish: Encouraging New Yorkers to interact with their food producers and learn where their food comes from; providing underserved communities access to fresh, healthy foods; creating a learning environment for schools and media; incubating small businesses and helping farmers to stay on their land.

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Local Recycling Options for Obsolete High-Tech Trash

Posted on March 21, 2012 by GrowNYC

When coming across some of the dated materials accumulating around the GrowNYC office, it’s not hard to believe that we are a 41-year-old organization.

We recently discovered a stash of floppy disks and decided to purchase a Technotrash bin to have them recycled. These bins, available through a company called Greendisk, accept all kinds of media and tech-related waste for reuse or recycling. With all the great resources at hand in NYC we’re reserving our bin for the most obsolete materials, like VHS and audio tapes.

Check out some of the many ways for NYC residents to recycle ever-accumulating e-waste and tech trash, thanks to recent laws, voluntary initiatives and community efforts:

• Inkjet and toner cartridges: Return to Office Depot, Staples, check manufacturer packaging for mail-back labels.

• Cell phones: NY state law requires all wireless providers to accept phones for recycling free of charge. Many charities also accept phones and chargers.

• Rechargeable batteries: Prohibited from residential waste, but easily recyclable by returning to any retailer that sells the same type of battery.

• Alkaline batteries: Bring to the DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off Site in your borough or to one of the City’s Household Hazardous Waste collections this spring.

• Best Buy: Vacuums? CDs? Video game cartridges? What won’t these guys recycle? Bring up to three pieces of e-waste and other appliances per day free of charge.

• Staples: Accepts up to 6 items per day of any brand computer, monitor, printer, shredder, UPS device, peripherals, and small office electronics like mobile phones, GPS and digital cameras.

• Goodwill: Stores accept any brand of computer and peripherals at no charge.

• Lower East Side Ecology Center’s E-waste Warehouse: Will accept electronics and alkaline, button, lithium and rechargeable batteries at no charge at their new drop-off site in Brooklyn.

• Sims Recycling Solutions: Offers NY residents a free, postage-paid mail-back program for any brand of electronic equipment.

• We Recycle!: Offers NY residents a free, postage-paid mail-back program for any brand of electronic equipment.

Find upcoming electronics collections in neighborhoods across New York and visit NYC WasteLess for more info on electronics recycling in NYC.

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Ground Breaking Bread Baking

Posted on March 19, 2012 by GrowNYC

In late-February, when Greenmarket farmers could still claim they were in ‘winter hibernation,’ Thor Oeschner and Erik Smith of Farmer Ground Flour and Cayuga Pure Organics snuck away from their farms in the Finger Lakes to make an appearance at the Brooklyn Kitchen. Each presented a series of slides that documented the process that takes place from seed to market to bring local grain and flour down to sell to city customers. It wasn’t so many years ago that they started selling their products at Greenmarket to begin with, and now their whole grains like freekeh and emmer appear on the menu at places like the John Dory Oyster Bar and have graced the airwaves on National Public Radio. With a burgeoning market for their products in the city, their business has been able to expand, meaning new equipment, new varieties in the field and luckily for us, many new loaves of bread around town.

Earlier this week, 75 bread baking enthusiasts from around the city made their way out of the woodwork (okay, their pint sized city kitchens) to share what they’ve been concocting with local flour. Into the Home Baker’s Meet-up streamed carefully wrapped loaves of hard red wheat sourdough, whole wheat levain, honey whole wheat, Irish soda bread, sourdough topped with flax, nigella sesame, celery and mustard seeds, and thin sheets of einkorn flatbread, among many, many others. Bakers eagerly shared recipes and ideas: how to use fermented apple peels to make sourdough starter, or how to make a rye and pickle loaf (again, nice and sour). People talked about experimenting with the local flour available at farmstands like Oak Grove Plantation, Cayuga Pure Organics and Wild Hive Bakery to make monkey bread and pizza dough.

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Recycling Volunteer Profile: Michael Mullaley

Posted on March 16, 2012 by GrowNYC

We asked some questions to Michael Mullaley, age 25, an Office of Recycling Outreach & Education volunteer who has been volunteering with us almost every weekend and who has made promoting composting a passion of his ever since moving to NYC from Oregon. Check out our conversation on his volunteerism!

OROE: What prompted you to volunteer with OROE?
Michael: I majored in Environmental Studies in college and have been doing various conservation work over the last couple years. After moving to New York City, I wanted to learn about, and get involved with, environmental organizations here and some of the work that they are doing. OROE’s volunteer opportunities to get out on the ground, talk to people and help educate them about recycling and composting really appealed to me. Also, I wanted to personally learn more about recycling in NYC since guidelines are a little more specific here than back in Oregon.

OROE: What was your best experience volunteering with OROE so far?
Michael: I have two. I really enjoy working up at Inwood because of the sense of community that is generated at a farmers market. All the community members make me feel right at home. The other best experience came when I tabled at the Chinese New Year recycling event. It was very exciting to see the young kids get enthusiastic about the recycling game, and was quite impressive how quickly they picked up all the various details.

OROE: Have you always been a recycling enthusiast?
Michael: Definitely. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, where recycling is second-nature. There are much fewer recycling-specific constrictions on items, which makes the overall experience simpler and less confusing. The city’s recycling infrastructure is very well organized too.

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