GrowNYC Publishes 2023 Impact Report

April 11, 2024

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

2024 Seasonal Greenmarkets and Farmstands Opening!

March 18, 2024
Posted in Greenmarket

It's farmers market season in New York City!

GrowNYC Greenmarkets 
GrowNYC's year-round Greenmarket farmers markets are growing as farmers bring additional delicious fruits and vegetables to market every day, and our seasonal Greenmarkets have begun opening. New Yorkers (and visitors!) can find a bounty of fresh, local products at Greenmarkets throughout the city. 

Check out individual market webpages for daily farmer attendance and information about upcoming activities such as cooking demonstrations and family-friendly programming.

GrowNYC Farmstands
GrowNYC Farmstands are part of a network of food access retail sites operated by GrowNYC, along with Greenmarket sites. Through Farmstands, GrowNYC sells fresh, affordable food in underserved and under resourced neighborhoods across NYC. The food sold at Farmstands is grown by farmers in the Northeast and transparently sourced through GrowNYC Wholesale. This vital food access program also offers important job opportunities for New Yorkers, ensures healthy, fresh food access across the city, and provides vital revenue for family farms in the Northeast.

All GrowNYC Greenmarkets and Farmstands accept SNAP/EBT, Debit/Credit, Healthfirst OTC cards (LIP and CC members only), WIC & Senior FMNP coupons, and Greenmarket Bucks accepted.
Spend $2 in SNAP/EBT/P-EBT, get bonus $2 Health Buck, up to $10 per day.

We’re on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Follow us for up-to-date news.

OPENING DATE   SEASONAL GREENMARKETS & FARMSTANDS
April 16   Bowling Green Tuesday Greenmarket
April 17   Tribeca Wednesday Greenmarket
May 4   Bay Ridge Greenmarket Saturdays
May 12   Bartel-Pritchard Square Greenmarket Sundays (also open on Wednesdays)
May 12   Stuyvesant Town Greenmarket Sundays 
June 1   57th Street Greenmarket Saturdays
June 2   Bensonhurst Greenmarket Sundays
June 4   Astor Place Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 4   Fort Washington Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 4   Bronx Borough Hall Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 8   Staten Island Mall Greenmarket Saturdays 
June 11   Elmhurst Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 14   Corona Greenmarket Fridays
June 16   Domino Park Greenmarket Sundays
June 18   Greenmarket at the Oculus
June 19   Mount Sinai Hospital Greenmarket Wednesdays
June 21   Lincoln Hospital Greenmarket Fridays (open Tuesdays June 25)
June 23   92nd Street Greenmarket Sundays
June 25   Poe Park Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 27   175th Street Greenmarket Thursdays
June 28   Parkchester Greenmarket Fridays
July 3   Eastchester Farmstand Wednesdays
July 3   Morris Heights Farmstand Wednesdays 
July 3   Morrisania Farmstand Wednesdays
July 5   NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Health Farmstand Fridays 
July 5   Cypress Hills Farmstand Fridays
July 5   Lower East Side Farmstand Fridays
July 6   Brownsville Pitkin Farmstand Saturdays 
July 6   Forest Park Farmstand Saturdays 
July 6   Ridgewood Farmstand Saturdays 
July 11   Boro Park Greenmarket Thursdays
July 17   Flushing Greenmarket Wednesdays
July 20   4th Ave Sunset Park Greenmarket Saturdays

2023 Seasonal Greenmarkets and Farmstands Opening!

May 5, 2023
Posted in Greenmarket

It's farmers market season in New York City!

GrowNYC Greenmarkets 
GrowNYC's year-round Greenmarket farmers markets are growing as farmers bring additional delicious fruits and vegetables to market every day, and our seasonal Greenmarkets have begun opening. New Yorkers (and visitors!) can find a bounty of fresh, local products at Greenmarkets throughout the city. 

Check out individual market webpages for daily farmer attendance and information about upcoming activities such as cooking demonstrations and family-friendly programming.

GrowNYC Farmstands
GrowNYC Farmstands are part of a network of food access retail sites operated by GrowNYC, along with Greenmarkets and Fresh Food Box sites. Through Farmstands, GrowNYC sells fresh, affordable food in underserved and under resourced neighborhoods across NYC. The food sold at Farmstands is grown by farmers in the Northeast and transparently sourced through GrowNYC Wholesale. This vital food access program also offers important job opportunities for New Yorkers, ensures healthy, fresh food access across the city, and provides vital revenue for family farms in the Northeast.

All GrowNYC Greenmarkets and Farmstands accept SNAP/EBT, Debit/Credit, Healthfirst OTC cards (LIP and CC members only), WIC & Senior FMNP coupons, and Greenmarket Bucks accepted.
Spend $2 in SNAP/EBT/P-EBT, get bonus $2 Health Buck, up to $10 per day.

GrowNYC Fresh Food Box 
GrowNYC Fresh Food Box sites are also part of a network of food access retail sites operated by GrowNYC. Through Fresh Food Box, customers pay one week in advance for a pre-assembled box of healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables grown primarily by regional farmers and sourced through GrowNYC Wholesale. The program allows customers to take advantage of the cost benefit of buying in a group and enjoy the flexibility of a weekly commitment while supporting farmers. All Fresh Food Box sites currently operate year-round. 

We’re on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Follow us for up-to-date news.

OPENING DATE   SEASONAL GREENMARKETS & FARMSTANDS
May 6   Bay Ridge Greenmarket Saturdays
May 7   Bartel-Pritchard Square Greenmarket Sundays (also open on Wednesdays)
May 14   Stuyvesant Town Greenmarket Sundays 
May 28   Bensonhurst Greenmarket Sundays
June 3   57th Street Greenmarket Saturdays 
June 4   Domino Park Greenmarket Sundays
June 6   Astor Place Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 6   Fort Washington Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 6   Bronx Borough Hall Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 6   Greenmarket at the Oculus Tuesdays 
June 10   Staten Island Mall Greenmarket Saturdays 
June 13   Elmhurst Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 14   Mount Sinai Hospital Greenmarket Wednesdays
June 16   Parkchester Greenmarket Fridays
June 16   Corona Greenmarket Fridays
June 18   94th Street Greenmarket Sundays
July 20   PS 57 Farmstand Thursdays 
June 23   Lincoln Hospital Greenmarket Fridays (open Tuesdays June 27)
June 28   Eastchester Farmstand Saturdays
June 27   Poe Park Greenmarket Tuesdays
June 29   175th St Greenmarket Thursdays 
June 29   Lower East Side Farmstand Thursdays 
July 1   4th Avenue Sunset Park Greenmarket Saturdays
July 1   Forest Park Farmstand Saturdays 
July 8   Ridgewood Farmstand Saturdays 
July 5   Flushing Greenmarket Wednesdays 
July 5   Morrisania Farmstand Wednesdays
July 5   Woodhull Hospital Farmstand Wednesdays
July 6   Myrtle-Wyckoff Plaza Greenmarket Thursdays
July 6   Boro Park Greenmarket Thursdays
July 6   NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Health Farmstand Thursdays 
July 7   Cypress Hills Farmstand Fridays
July 15   Brownsville Pitkin Farmstand Saturdays 

Give to GrowNYC

October 16, 2021

Our Impact

For over 50 years, we have believed that everyone can make a positive impact and that collective action is necessary to secure a clean & healthy environment for future generations.

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on donations to support our work:

  • Conservation: We work to make it second nature for all New Yorkers to lead environmentally conscious lifestyles through conservation of our natural resources.
  • Education: We engage all New Yorkers in environmental stewardship and education to win the fight against climate change.
  • Food Access & Agriculture: We create opportunities for all New Yorkers to be active participants in creating an equitable food system that supports small farms and keeps people and the planet healthy.
  • Green Space: We help NYC schools and neighborhoods create and maintain gardens, bringing people together, creating beauty, combating climate change, and adding vital green space to our city.

Becoming a monthly donor is the most sustainable way to support our programs! Monthly donations provide support for our work all year long, and allow us to set more ambitious, long term goals.Thank you for making our work possible. Scroll down for alternative ways to donate.

Prefer to donate by mail? Write your check out to:

GrowNYC, P.O. Box 2327, New York, NY 10272

 

GrowNYC is also eligible to receive donor advised funds. Use the DAF Direct portal below or make a grant recommendation to your donor advised fund for GrowNYC today.

You can also help protect the future of NYC and ensure your legacy will live on in green spaces, food access and agriculture, education, and conservation by making a bequest to GrowNYC.

For more information call 212-788-7900 x253 or email.

Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

 

 

       

 

Jazz Foundation at GrowNYC Greenmarkets

October 1, 2021
Posted in Greenmarket

Come out and hear Jazz Foundation musicians playing at GrowNYC Greenmarkets!

The Jazz Foundation of America, a non-profit organization based in Manhattan, provides retired professional jazz musicians with the opportunity to continue performing.

Through their "Gig Fund," the Jazz Foundation produces free, “pop-up” performances for underserved audiences. The shows take place in public spaces as opposed to traditional and costly venues, and engage new audiences who would not otherwise have the chance to hear these accomplished players. We are thrilled to announce the schedule of performers coming out to GrowNYC Greenmarkets. 

FALL SCHEDULE JAZZ FOUNDATION
AT GROWNYC GREENMARKETS 

 October 9

    57th Street Saturday Greenmarket

    Will Terrill Band

 October 10

    92nd Street Sunday Greenmarket 

    Rick Fiori Band

 October 12

    Brooklyn Borough Hall Tuesday Greenmarket

    Band TBD

 October 14

    Myrtle-Wyckoff Thursday Greenmarket 

    Jerry Griffin


Presented in partnership with the Jazz Foundation of America, with partial support from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council

GrowNYC Tours & Learning Opportunities

September 25, 2021

In Person Field Trips Are Back!

Greenmarket School Tours

Join an interactive tour to learn more about local agriculture and fresh, local food.

Dates: September – December, Weekdays

To request an in person field trip, please fill out this registration form.

Virtual Tours and Self Guided tours of neighborhood Greenmarkets are also available.

Adult tours at citywide Greenmarket locations are also available here.

 

Teaching Garden on Governors Island Tours

Join us for a hands on learning experience on our urban farm.

Dates: September – November, Weekdays

To request an in person field trip, please fill out this registration form.

Virtual Tours and Farmer Talks are also available. 

Please note: All GrowNYC tour leaders are fully vaccinated and masks will be worn at all times for everyone’s safety.

Welcome Angela Davis, GrowNYC's New Director of Food Access and Agriculture

September 8, 2021

GrowNYC is excited to announce the selection of Angela Davis as its new Director of Retail Food Access and Agriculture. Angela replaces Michael Hurwitz, who is leaving GrowNYC after nearly 15 years of distinguished service to Greenmarket’s farmers and customers. 

Davis is a nonprofit and public-sector leader with more than 14 years of experience managing programs and initiatives that increase food security, expand equitable access to healthy food, and support a more sustainable local food system. She will begin with GrowNYC this month. 

"We are thrilled to be able to bring this highly talented and seasoned executive into GrowNYC to oversee our Greenmarkets and their related food access programs,” said Robert Kafin, Chair of GrowNYC’s Board of Directors. 

Since 2017, Davis served as the Director of the Division of Food & Nutrition at the Jersey City Department of Health & Human Services (JCHHS). She oversaw healthy food access initiatives and federal nutrition programs, including Meals on Wheels, the Congregate Senior Lunch Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. In this role, Davis also managed Jersey City's relationship with its independently run farmers markets and the neighborhood nonprofit organizations participating in the Adopt-a-Lot community gardening program. Prior to working at JCHHS, she spent almost a decade overseeing food and nutrition education programs for Just Food, a New York City food justice nonprofit.  

“Angela’s wealth of relevant experience and skills will help sustain our commitment to providing a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for New Yorkers, as well as support for local farms, farmers, and sustainable agriculture,” said GrowNYC President and CEO Marcel Van Ooyen. 

“I am honored to become the new Director of Retail Food Access and Agriculture as GrowNYC celebrates Greenmarket's 45th year of service to New York City residents and local farmers said, Davis.  "I look forward to working with GrowNYC staff, board, farmers, and community stakeholders to ensure equitable access to the freshest, healthiest food while strengthening regional farm viability." 

Over her 27-year career, Davis has served a variety of institutions, including SEIU Local 32BJ, the National Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and the Children's Defense Fund. Davis has a Master of Education degree from George Washington University, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College, and a certificate in Culinary Nutrition from the Natural Gourmet Institute. She is a 2009 Environmental Leadership Program Fellow. GrowNYC is thrilled to have her on the team. 

Cider Village at the Union Square Greenmarket October 8

September 1, 2021
Posted in Greenmarket

Save the date for one of our most beloved annual events, the Union Square Greenmarket Cider Village, as part of Cider Week New York! For one day only, New York cidermakers from far and wide will join our Friday market lineup to sling their sippable fall flavors! From fruity to funky, sweet to dry, crisp and complex, to bubbly and tart, there’s a cider for everyone. Along the way, you’ll meet (and taste!) some rare apples varieties and learn more about the cider-pressing process as well as the history of the craft that takes one of our state’s most venerated and prolific crops and turns it into liquid gold!

Guest cidermakers will have their bottles on offer, along with some lovingly culled informational displays, pairings and recipes all about apples and cider. Pick up a bottle you’ve never tried before, grab another bottle for a holiday gift, and maybe learn something new!

Special guests will also be on hand! Gidon Coll of Hudson Valley Apple Project will host an apple varietal display that is sure to leave you gleefully in awe of the range one fruit can embody, and apple enthusiast and photographer William Mullan of @pomme_queen fame will be taking pre-orders of the second run of his new and currently sold out book, Odd Apples (12-2PM). The book is an ode to the apple tree and features 128 portraits of rare and interesting apple varieties and their histories. 

CIDER VILLAGE 
Union Square West (at 15th Street)
Date: Friday, October 8
Time: 10AM. - 5PM

Participating Cideries:

Metal House Cider
Original Sin Cider
East Hollow Cider
Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider
Nine Pin Cider
 

Run the New York City Marathon with GrowNYC

August 23, 2021
Posted in GrowNYC

GrowNYC is excited to participate in the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon as an Official Charity Partner for the first time! This year, the marathon will take place on November 7, 2021.

The NYRR Official Charity Partner Program offers an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to raise funds to support their missions and services. Participating charities can offer guaranteed entry to runners who fundraise on their behalf.

Right now, we are able to offer guaranteed entry to the marathon to a limited number of runners, provided they:

1. Cover their own registration fee

2. Raise at least $3,000 for GrowNYC by October 15, 2021

This offer is open to our community. If you are interested in participating, please complete this submission form. We will be reviewing submissions on a rolling basis until we have filled all open spots on our team.

Please share this opportunity with anyone who might be interested!

Visit our grownyc.org/marathon to learn more, and contact Bea Mora at bmora@grownyc.org with any questions.

 

Doctor's Orders!

August 11, 2021
Posted in Greenmarket

Two health insurance companies partner with GrowNYC to promote healthy eating among their members. 

Healthfirst recognizes that poor diet, a prominent risk factor linked to death and disease in the United States, is modifiable, and the health insurance company has partnered with GrowNYC to allow Medicaid and Medicare members to spend benefits (about $150 per month!) at our Greenmarkets, Farmstands, and Fresh Food Box sites on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Similarly, MetroPlus, another insurance company here in New York, is incentivizing healthy eating by providing Greenmarket Bucks (for use at GrowNYC food retail sites) to its members who have certain diet related illnesses.  

These programs, both focused on the connection between health and diet, are lauded at GrowNYC, where we work to provide access for all New Yorkers to healthy, fresh food while simultaneously promoting regional agriculture.  

Perhaps more health insurance companies will be inspired to launch similar programs, moving us closer to a health care system that integrates healthy habits for members and, by promoting local food, for the environment. 

 
Here’s a link for more information about GrowNYC’s partnership with Healthfirst, and here you will find further details on Greenmarket Bucks for MetroPlus members

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