Latinx Heritage and Northeastern Agriculture

September 10, 2019
Posted in Greenmarket

By Gabriela Pereyra, GrowNYC's FARMroots Beginning Farmer Program Manager

National Latinx Heritage Month in the United States is the period from September 15 to October 15, when people recognize the contributions of Latinx and Hispanic Americans to the country's history, heritage, and culture. 

Our work is to identify, educate, and support aspiring farmers with agricultural experience to establish their own economically and environmentally sustainable farm businesses. Started in 2000, GrowNYC created the New Farmer Development Project as a partnership between Greenmarket and Cornell Cooperative Extension's NYC Program. The project was based in New York City and trained mostly Latinx farmers within the city to start their farm businesses in New York's Hudson Valley and Catskill Regions, New Jersey, and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Our work of training the next generation of regional farmers continues, through programs that give them access to zero interest loans, discounted market opportunities, paid mentorships, and three years of additional technical assistance. It is also complemented with projects like the Labor Ready Farmer. This project, a collaboration with the Cornell Small Farms Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension, focuses on the growth of New York State fruit & vegetable farms through improved Latinx workforce management and leadership skills. 

Currently, 80% of New York State’s agricultural work is done by Latinx people, yet they own less than 3% of the state’s farmland, and less than 4% are farm managers. GrowNYC's FARMroots training works to provide profitable, equitable agriculture opportunities for Latinx communities. Improving the managerial skills of Latinx farmers and supporting them to start their own farms helps to keep farmland in production and strengthens rural communities, farmers markets, and the region’s food system as a whole. Today, at our Greenmarkets, Latinx farmers are selling a range of unique products that speak to their culture. Thanks to them, all New Yorkers have access to high-quality and locally-grown papalo, huacatey, epazote, amaranth, ají dulce, tomatillo, chiles, flores de calabaza, maíz de tortillas, dahlias, and herbs.

The contributions of Latinx people, both in the fields and in our Greenmarkets, are countless. Thanks to their work and effort, our regional food system is better and stronger. 

GrowNYC Eco Hour: Back to the Farm 9/11

September 3, 2019

Join us for GrowNYC Eco Hour: Back to the Farm on Monday, September 11 at Project Farmhouse for drinks, local snacks, a live DJ and green conversation.⁠

We'll be digging into what's lighting a fire under a new generation of farmers. Featuring Yemi Amu of Oko Farms, Jacob Okam of The Campaign Against Hunger, Jason Slibeck of Sly Fox Farm, and GrowNYC's own Chris Wayne and John Johnson. Music will be courtesy of Caroline Shadood.⁠

Tickets available now at: https://ecohour_farm.eventbrite.com. Your first 2 drinks are included with admission. Bring friends, make friends, and join the conversation!

 

When: Monday, September 11 6pm-10pm

Where: Project Farmhouse, 76 East 13th Street, New York, NY 10003

 

Use eWIC with Select Farmers at Greenmarket

July 30, 2019
Posted in Greenmarket | Tagged eWIC, WIC

New! How to use eWIC at Greenmarket

The WIC Vegetable and Fruit Check Program was created to improve the health of low-income women and children. The program provides pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding women, infants and children under the age of 5 enrolled in the WIC Program with nutrition benefits to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

In spring 2019, the WIC program in New York State moved from issuing paper checks to providing benefits on a debit card. The WIC EBT card allows vendors to be reimbursed faster and families to roll over any unused benefits from a shopping trip toward future purchases during the same month. 

However, moving away from paper checks meant that many producers did not have the technology required to accept eWIC at farmers markets. As a result, a pilot program was launched in partnership with the NYS Department of Health, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Farmers Market Federation of NY, and Novo Dia Group to provide farmers with equipment, technology and support to accept eWIC cards. 

We are excited to share that Morgiewicz Farms and R&G Produce are participating in this pilot and are able to accept eWIC cards directly. To use your eWIC card please visit Morgewicz Farms or R&G produce at any of the following Greenmarket locations. Please note that Morgeiwicz and R&G are the only producers who can accept eWIC at this time.

Use your eWIC card with Morgiewicz Farms at these GrowNYC Greenmarkets: 

57th St Greenmarket
Tenth Ave & 57th St, Manhattan [map]
Saturdays | June 3 to November 18
Market Hours: 8:00am - 3:00pm

Bx Boro Hall Greenmarket
161st and Grand Concourse, Bronx [map]
Tuesdays | June 6 to November 21
Market Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Ft Washington Greenmarket
168th Street & Fort Washington Ave, Manhattan [map]
Tuesdays | June 6 to November 21
Market Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Lincoln Hospital Greenmarket Friday
On 149th St between Park and Morris Aves, Bronx [map]
Fridays | June 23 to November 17
Market Hours: 8:00am - 3:00pm

 

Use your eWIC card with R&G at these GrowNYC Greenmarkets: 

Elmhurst Hospital Greenmarket
41st Avenue btw 80th and 81st Streets, Queens [map]
Tuesdays | June 13 to November 21
Market Hours: 8:00am - 3:00pm
2023 schedule changes: 11/7/2023 will be closed for Election Day.

Jackson Heights Greenmarket
34th Ave between 79th & 80th Sts, Queens [map]
Sundays | Year Round
Winter Market Hours (Jan-May): 8:00am - 2:00pm
Summer Market Hours (June-Dec): 8:00am - 3:00pm

Poe Park
E 192nd Street btw Grand Concourse & Valentine, Bronx [map]
Tuesdays | June 27 to November 21
Market Hours: 8:00am - 3:00pm

Staten Island Mall
Staten Island Mall, Staten Island [map]
Marsh Avenue & Ring Road (Commuter Lot Behind Macy's)
Saturdays | June 10 - November 18
Market Hours: 8:00am - 2:00pm

**Please note that R&G produce is NOT currently able to accept eWIC at the following markets: Corona Greenmarket, Flushing Greenmarket, Forest Hills Greenmarket.

One thing that hasn’t changed: the $5 WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons continue to be issued as paper checks. All Greenmarket fruit and vegetable producers and all Farmstand locations accept WIC FMNP Checks.

Stop by the Market Information Tent at your neighborhood Greenmarket for more information.

3D Printing with GrowNYC & Cyant

July 22, 2019
Posted in Greenmarket

This STEAM workshop for kids is hosted by GrowNYC and Cyant. During these events, we will start at GrowNYC's iconic Union Square Greenmarket to discuss plants and return to Project Farmhouse to connect the dots with 3D printing! Young cyantists will learn about the technology, sustainability aspects, and create a small 3D printed design for a "plant project" which they will be able to take home!

3D Printing Workshops for Kids with Cyant and GrowNYC
August 17th & September 14th 
10am-12pm 
Project Farmhouse, 76 East 13th St (at 4th Ave)
Learn more about Cyant 

August 17 Tickets
September 14 Tickets 

Join GrowNYC at the Bronx Night Market 8/24

July 9, 2019
Posted in Greenmarket

Each Saturday, the Bronx Night Market brings a global food celebration to Fordham Plaza. Find the GrowNYC booth among the other 50+ food, drink, and artisan vendors on Saturday, August 24th.

No tickets or entry fee.

GrowNYC Grains at Slow Grains 2019

July 9, 2019
Posted in Greenmarket | Tagged Grains, Beer

Slow Grains 2019 - a bi-annual grain conversation, in partnership with GrowNYC Grains

Slow Grains is back! Join us for a dynamic conversation with leaders in the movement to bring small-scale grain growing back to the Northeast. Momentum around locally-grown grains is building – amongst brewers, distillers, bakers, chefs, and home cooks – our collective effort is creating a regional system of growing, processing, and distributing grains. Built into this movement is improved flavor, as well as on-farm diversification and resilience. Farm Breweries have generally lagged behind other sectors due to availability of barley, and limited capacity to malt grains grown in the region. In 2014 Brewers Choice became an event that showcased beer made with regional grains, malted in the northeast. Since then, 12 malting facilities have opened, the number of acres devoted to growing barley has tripled, the number of Farm Brewery licenses has increased by more than 450% and in 2019 the requirement to use New York State ingredients increased to 60%. And best of all, consumers are experiencing a golden era of delicious innovation in their favorite liquid form. Beer. Wow!

Come learn from the pioneering folks working on the Northeast local grain movement – we’ll share what we’ve learned, discuss grains varieties growing in our region, their important role in the building of a sustainable food system, and the infrastructure and distribution challenges involved in these efforts.

Join us on July 17 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for this all-inclusive event with outdoor space, sunset views, live music, and a ton of beer tastings. The Slow Grains' panel discussion will precede the awesome Brewers' Choice 2019 event. Purchase of a ticket allows entry to the event. This year 20 small batch brewers will come together to celebrate local grains and malts with Slow Grains of Slow Food NYC!

WIth much gratitude to Beer Sessions Radio™ and the Good Beer Seal for hosting us at this, the 9th annual NYC Brewer’s Choice™, a featured event of July Good Beer Month.

Tickets are 21+ and over and are All-inclusive Food + Drink

GrowNYC Programs -- Extreme Heat Weather Update

June 19, 2019
Posted in Greenmarket

GrowNYC Greenmarkets & Food Scrap/Textile Collections 

GrowNYC Greenmarkets are OPEN during the heat wave on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, July 19-21. Food scrap and clothing collections will be open as scheduled.

Some producers may call out and some may leave before closing time so be sure to shop early. And don't forget to hydrate hydrate hydrate!

Stop 'N' Swap

Saturday, July 20 - Concourse  CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT
12pm-3pm, St. Simeon's Episcopal Church Outdoor Lot* (map) (flier
1020 Carroll Place, Bronx
*Outdoor event, subject to cancellation with inclement weather. Check website for updates. 

Sunday, July 21 - LES Chinatown POSTPONED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT
11am-4pm, Chinatown ADA Weekend Walk* (map) (flier
Mott Street between Pell Street and Bayard Street, Manhattan
*Outdoor event, rain or shine

Stay cool with this Peach and Arugula Salad from Kitchn

Peach and Arugula Salad

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 ounces peaches (about 2 regular or 3-4 Saturn peaches)*
  • 5 ounces arugula*
  • 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey*
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole grain mustard
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot*
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped tarragon leaves*
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 ounces ricotta salata, shaved or crumbled*
  • 1/4 cup toasted pistachios (optional)

*Ingredients available now at your neighborhood Greenmarket. 

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cut peaches in half and remove pits. Thinly slice peaches and place in a large bowl with arugula.

  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, mustard, and shallot. Slowly add the olive oil in a stream, whisking until emulsified. Stir in the tarragon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  3. Add dressing to peaches and arugula and toss. Divide salad between plates, sprinkle with ricotta salata and pistachios, and serve.

 

 

Seasonal Jobs at GrowNYC

May 22, 2019
Posted in GrowNYC

GrowNYC Seasonal Jobs
Thank you for signing up for GrowNYC's Seasonal Job Fair. As a follow-up we want to make sure you have all the information you need to apply for a job with GrowNYC, our farmers, and/or our partners.

GrowNYC Job Opportunities
All GrowNYC job opportunities get posted here and more will be added in the coming months.

Greenmarket Farmers
Greenmarket farmers hire for their individual farm stands and on their farms. Listings are here and there's also a Facebook page.

GrowNYC Partners Seasonal Jobs
NYC Department of Health
The NYC Department of Health is hiring part-time Nutrition Educators, Culinary Educators, and Bilingual Educators (Spanish, Bengali, and Chinese speakers) to provide Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables Stellar Farmers Markets (JSY SFM) nutrition education and food workshops at farmers markets serving low-income New Yorkers. The goal of JSY SFM is to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by building knowledge and skills about healthy eating.
Stellar Farmers Markets Nutrition Educators
Stellar Farmers Markets Culinary Educators
Stellar Farmers Markets Bilingual Educators (Bengali, Mandarin/Cantonese, Spanish)
To receive more information, please email Margaret at mdunncarver@health.nyc.gov.

Wearable Collections
Wearable Collections is a NYC based company focused on keeping clothing, textiles and shoes out of landfills since 2004. We are seeking applicants who are self motivated,
team oriented, courteous and friendly to join our team. We are looking for individuals who enjoy being outside, have an attention to detail and are dedicated to customer
service.
Job listings are here. ​Please apply to info@wearablecollections.com with your resume/experience and specify which position(s) you are interested in. Must provide a brief description of why
you want to join the Wearable Collections team.

Plastic Cleanse Photo Contest!

April 7, 2019
Posted in Greenmarket

PLASTIC CLEANSE PHOTO CONTEST! Show us how you shop plastic-free at the Greenmarket (lots of tips here) and you could win this Ultimate Plastic Cleanse Kit for #zerowaste shopping, supplied by our friends at @packagefreeshop and @beeswrap In NYC alone, plastic bags generate about 1700 tons of residential garbage on a weekly basis. Join us in our annual plastic cleanse and inspire others to change this environmentally damaging habit! Take photos at market or at home of your plastic-free shopping, for a chance to be regrammed by us, and one lucky winner will receive the Ultimate Plastic Cleanse Kit!⁣ 

⁣Contest rules:⁣
-Take a photo and post it to your Instagram account of your plastic-free shopping supplies before heading to market, a plastic-free interaction at market, or of your plastic-free market haul after shopping. ⁣
-Tag @unsqgreenmarket and hashtag #GMKTnyc #PlasticCleanse to enter.⁣
-Dates to enter are 4/6 - 4/31/19. ⁣
-GrowNYC and Greenmarket staff, volunteers, farm staff, or farmers, or family members are not eligible to win.⁣
-Open to NYC residents. Contest ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 4/31/19.⁣
-On 5/1/19, GrowNYC will pick 1 winner to win the ultimate Plastic-Free Shopping Kit!⁣ ⁣
This April, we’re taking our annual #plasticcleanse to another level with weekly events and guests who inspire us to live a more #zerowaste market lifestyle! Our takeovers, demos, and special events will all have an emphasis on wasting less in your market routine.

Caught Up in Kondo? Don’t Spark Joy in Landfills!

April 6, 2019
Posted in Recycling | Tagged swap, reuse, donate, recycle, reduce


Making up just 5% of the world’s population, the US consumes 30% of the world’s resources and creates 30% of the world’s waste.  We have so much stuff that finding a place to put it is big business; the self-storage industry is booming. Today, it is physically possible for every American to stand at the same time under the canopy of self-storage roofing in the US.  It’s no surprise, then, that Marie Kondo, author of best-selling book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” has started a de-cluttering craze.

On her Netflix show, Kondo teaches clients to make their homes more livable through her special organizing process. The result is large piles of garbage bags filled with clothing, home furnishings, and other items that no longer “spark joy” for their owners.  Read on for tips to break free of clutter, sustainably! 

The true solution to too much stuff, of course, is to consume less, buy better, and care for what we already have—this makes it easier to maintain a comfortable home, and helps the planet too!  Next time you put your stuff on the curb, consider that for every garbage can placed out for collection, the equivalent of 71 garbage cans' worth of waste is created in mining, agriculture and other industrial processes to convert raw materials into finished products and packaging. 

Tips to Responsibly De-Clutter Your Life:

1: Clear it out.  To achieve the highest use for unwanted items, choose to swap or donate what’s usable.  For items such as electronics, household chemicals, and personal documents, check out local resources and special events to recycle or safely dispose.   Need a little extra help getting started? Check out How to Declutter Your Home Fast: A Checklist for the Messy.

2: Get organized.When you’ve successfully pared down, reorder your home for daily life.Good organization keeps you from buying things you don’t need or already own, and can create a happier, less stressful living environment.Check out 10 Ways to Unclutter Your Life.  

3: Change habits.To remain clutter free, slow the flow of new things into your home.  Prevent future waste buy buying wisely—choose high quality items you truly need and intend to use.  Try out zero waste practices like repairing what you already own and love,  (see Fixers Collective, Mend It Mondays, Fix It Fridays) and buying bulk and package-free groceries.  Spend less time shopping and managing stuff, and more time on non-commercial activities like enjoying culture, spending time in nature, and volunteering.

Want to stay on top of NYC zero waste news and resources? Subscribe to our monthly NYC Recycling Updates!

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