GrowNYC today published its 2023 Impact Report, which outlines how the non-profit continues to address environmental challenges through its programs in Food Access & Agriculture, Education, Zero Waste, and Green Spaces. The report provides statistics and details on how GrowNYC continues to work side by side with New York City agencies, communities, and partners to create a more sustainable and climate resilient City, and inspires change on critical environmental issues.

The report highlights GrowNYC’s ongoing efforts to build significant momentum both citywide and nationally to inspire environmental action. As a leading environmental organization in New York City, GrowNYC provides opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages to understand and connect with the life cycle of our environment, plants, food, and nutritious eating.

“All New Yorkers deserve a city filled with green space, opportunities to live sustainably, and access to affordable, nutritious food. The work our 200+ staff does across the city every day inspires me and keeps me going,” said Marcel Van Ooyen, President & CEO of GrowNYC. “I hope when you read ahead you too are inspired by how individual participation in our programs makes a huge impact.”

Impact Report 2023 highlights include:

• We operated 66 food access locations across the 5 boroughs working with 207 regional farms, giving New Yorkers nearly 3,000 unique opportunities throughout the year to access fresh local foods.  

• We distributed 2.6 million of local food distributed through our Food Hub – 90% food sourced from the Hub went to organizations dedicated to expanding food security across our City.

• We collected 2.2 million pounds of food scraps for composting, reaching 24 million pounds of food scraps diverted from landfills since 2011.

• We engaged and prepared 459,500 kids and adults in environmental stewardship.

• We renovated 30 community gardens and built 7 new gardens across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan, totaling 46,500 square feet of green space added to our city landscape.

• GrowNYC sites redeemed $4.3 in nutrition benefits that went directly into farmers’ pockets. These benefits make local food accessible to low income New Yorkers through the promotion and acceptance of nutrition benefits, incentive coupons, and credit cards.

READ THE FULL REPORT