1 in every 16 New Yorkers lives in a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) development, few of which provide access to any sort of community green space. Home to more than 4,500 New Yorkers, the NYCHA Houses at Castle Hill in the Bronx were no exception.
In 2020, GrowNYC began organizing around a vacant 10,000-square-foot piece of land within the Castle Hill Houses. We shortly began work on a new community garden, alongside NYCHA residents and community groups.
“In the NYCHA residences, we have folks that are coming from all different walks of life. There are residents who are willing to give back, who want to make investments into the community. The Garden is essential to their quality of life," says Chantel Kemp, GrowNYC Garden Coordinator.
The space is dedicated to the late Tenant Association President and activist Roxanne Reed, who advocated tirelessly for her community and the garden.
Today, the garden is not only a place where residents grow food but also a gathering place where community events and educational workshops are held.
As of today, GrowNYC has built 13 NYCHA gardens and 150 community gardens across the city, creating over 1 million square feet of community green space in New York City.
Green space is more than an amenity - it is vital to helping neighborhoods thrive. Gardens function as a community hub, improve mental health, and make space for green infrastructure that protects NYC from the increasing effects of climate change.
Help GrowNYC continue to make New York City a greener place for all and make a gift today! Thanks to Omni New York LLC, your gift will be matched, making an impact that will last for years to come.
In the fall of 2021, the Associated Supermarket located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn shut its doors due to development. Neighborhood residents, including many seniors, found themselves without access to a grocery store.
Community members were concerned about the lack of access to affordable, fresh, healthy food. That's where GrowNYC stepped in.
GrowNYC's Crown Heights Farmstand now serves the community by bringing a selection of seasonal and affordable produce to the neighborhood every Friday. GrowNYC Farmstands bring fresh fruits and vegetables to under-resourced neighborhoods across New York City while providing workforce development opportunities for young New Yorkers.
Historically under-resourced New York City neighborhoods are frequently overlooked by large food distributors and have fewer access points to fresh produce. 60 percent of Farmstand customers use a food subsidy program like SNAP, WIC, or OTC cards, making Farmstands, as well as GrowNYC's Greenmarkets and Fresh Food Box sites, crucial to fighting the inequity in NYC's current food system.
Giselle Ladino Perez, one of our Farmstand Youth Staff, shared that "I know that everyone deserves to have food on their table. I want everyone to be able to say 'Yes, food is a human right.'"
When you give to GrowNYC you ensure that New Yorkers across the five boroughs have access to fresh, affordable food - no matter their income or zip code.
We can't do this work without your support. Thank you for sharing our vision of building a more equitable and sustainable food system throughout New York City.
GrowNYC is happy to announce our Winter 2023 Training Series!
This free training is available to nonprofit organizations and community groups interested in operating a food box or farm stand in their neighborhoods. Organizations are invited to join us for an informational session on Tuesday, Jan 10th from 4-6 PM. This overview will help organizations determine which model is the right fit for them. We will provide general FreshConnect background, details about ordering produce through GrowNYC Wholesale, and highlight the differences between a farm stand and a food box. The info session is not required, but if you're still deciding if you'd like to run a farm stand or a food box, this will help you understand the differences and make your decision.
January 10, 4-6PM, Information Session
Register for our first information session here.
All training sessions are remote via Zoom.
Jan 24, 4-6 PM, Farm Stand Training
Jan 26, 4-6 PM, Fresh Food Box Training
