GENERAL RESOURCES FOR HEALTHIER NEIGHBORHOODS There are number of organizations that Crown Heights residents can utilize to make access to healthy foods easier. Below is a sample: Brooklyn Food Coalition – A grassroots partnership of groups and individuals working to achieve a just and sustainable system for tasty, healthy and affordable food and to provide a platform for Brooklynites to speak to food issues. Sponsors workshops, panels, conferences, events and much more. A great resource for anyone looking to join a local group and work on food issues. www.brooklynfoodcoalition.ning.com Just Food – A leading organization connecting local farms to NYC neighborhoods and communities since 1995. Its mission is to unite local farms with city residents of all economic backgrounds with fresh, seasonal food grown sustainably. Assists community gardens, urban farms and CSAs with wide array of programs. www.justfood.org or 212-645-9880 ext.221

Grow NYC – Winner of the EPA’s 2010 Environmental Quality Award, this nonprofit organization runs 50 Greenmarkets across the city, as well as a wholesale greenmarket, youth markets, the New Farmer Development Project and programs related to recycling, environmental education and community gardens. Let’s bring a Green Market and/or Youth Market to Crown Heights! www.grownyc.org

Green Thumb NYC – Established in 1978, and a program of the NYC Parks Dept. since 1995, this organization is the nations’s largest urban gardening program, providing assistance to over 600 gardens and 20,000 garden members throughout NYC. Want help starting a community garden or maintain, revitalize or expand an existing one? Green Thumb can help! Sponsor of numerous workshops and programs throughout the year. www.greenthumbnyc.org or 212-788-8070

East New York Farms – 613 New Lots Ave. Successful program combining urban farming, community gardening and individual gardening support, youth programs, workshops, volunteer farming days, a farm stand and more. A great resource for learning more about the urban farming movement and how to do it right! www.eastnewyorkfarms.org or 718-649-7999

Hattie Carthan Community Garden and Farmers Market – Lafayette Ave. and Clifton Pl. at Marcy Ave., Bed Stuy. “Growing fresh food & healthy people in Central Brooklyn.” Large active community garden and farmers market. Workshops, youth programs, cooking demos, community events, a new chicken coop and more! Provides a wealth of information for anyone looking to revitalize their neighborhoods through healthy food, gardening, urban farming and green space. www.hattiechartancommunitygarden.com or 718-638-3566 COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) Community Supported Agricultures (CSAs) provide city residents with the opportunity to become shareholders in small farms by purchasing a portion of the farm’s crops during a particular season. Small farmers stay in business and urban folks receive a weekly or bi-weekly supply of fresh local produce, generally grown with organic and sustainable methods. Central Brooklyn CSA – Distribution Site: Hebron SDA Church, 1256 Dean St (corner of New York Ave). Farm Partner: Mimo Mex Farm, Goshen, NY. Free of chemical pesticides/fertilizers; working toward organic certification. Vegetable, fruit and egg shares. 22 week season starting in June. Sliding scale payment system; accepts SNAP benefits. Sponsored in part by Farm Fresh Initiative, a program run by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger. Trip to farm generally included in share. More info at: www.centralbrooklyncsa.wordpress.com. Contact: Maia Raposo

mraposo@nyccah.org 212-825-0028, ext. 205

Crown Heights CSA – Distribution Site: Georgia’s Place, 691 Prospect Place at Bedford Avenue. Vegetable shares from Sang Lee Farms (NOFA-NY Certified Organic) and meat, poultry, cheese and bread from Lewis Waite Farms, as well as fair trade coffee from Crop to Cup. 23 week season starting in June. Limited income payment plans are available on a case-by-case basis. Trip to farm generally included in share. More info and contact form at www.crownheightscsa.org.

HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Crown Heights needs more options for fresh produce and other healthy foods, especially sustainable and organic foodstuffs. Small grocery stores, bodegas, and fruit stands do carry some fruits and vegetables and increasing amounts of certified organic produce. Restaurants and cafes offer a vibrant variety of cuisines, including but not limited to Chinese, Caribbean, African, kosher, soul food, contemporary American, vegan and Ital food options. Also independent companies making small batches of locally sourced food products are growing in the area. However, fast food abounds and tends to be cheaper than other choices. For a healthier community:

• Ask your local stores to stock food that is affordable and contains high nutritional value.

• Encourage your neighborhood restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores to buy locally and organically, where possible, including from community gardens and urban farms.

• Know what is in your food, educate yourself and your family about good nutrition and learn what foods to avoid. Eat healthy/eat local!

This resource guide was researched and created by participants in the 2010 Leadership Training Institute at Crown Heights Community Mediation Center. The annual Leadership Training Institute at the Mediation Center looks for passionate Crown Heights residents who want to engage in community issues and learn leadership skills together to make a positive difference in Crown Heights. Contact the Mediation Center if you would like to join the program.

Funding for Leadership Training Institute is provided by the New York City Council.

256 Kingston Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213

www.crownheights.org crownheightsmediationcenter.blogspot.com

718-773-6886

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Resource GuideResource GuideResource GuideResource Guide

A compilation of local resources for eating healthy in our

neighborhood.

Featuring information about:

Community Gardens Educational Programming

Farmers Markets Food Justice Organizations

Community Supported Agriculture

EAT HEALTHY/EAT LOCAL RESOURCE GUIDE You are what you eat. We have all heard this phrase many times. But it’s not always so easy to know what the healthiest food choice is or where to find nutritious options that are reasonably priced. Indeed, Central Brooklyn, of which Crown Heights is a part, has been identified by many studies in recent years as an underserved neighborhood in terms of access to healthy food, including fresh produce that is both affordable and easily available. Diabetes, obesity and other chronic illnesses related to the lack of a healthy, balanced diet have become an epidemic in our neighborhood. Luckily, we do have an increasing number of organizations and businesses in Crown Heights, as well as additional resources throughout NYC, working to improve quality of life by providing nutritional/agricultural education, green space, community and urban gardening options, local, sustainable and organic food choices and exercise and wellness centers. This guide is not meant to be exhaustive; rather we hope that it will start a conversation about what is already available in our neighborhood, what should be made available and how we can all become involved in creating a healthier food environment for ourselves and our neighbors. Eat healthy/eat local and enjoy!

COMMUNITY GARDENS Urban community gardens provide green space, outdoor recreational facilities, improve air quality and often utilize derelict vacant lots. Increasingly, community gardeners are also growing vegetables and herbs, as well as raising chickens for fresh eggs. As a result, community gardens play a vital role in providing agricultural/nutritional information and healthy food options for community residents. Walt L. Shamal Community Garden – 1095 Dean St. between Franklin Ave. and Bedford Ave. Vegetable beds, plant sales, currently home to six egg laying chickens. Sponsors Green Thumb NYC workshops open to the public. Hosts annual “Arts on Dean Festival” in August. Imani Garden – 87-91 Schenectady Ave. between Dean St. and Pacific St. Site restored in 2008 with assistance of New York Restoration Project utilizing permaculture techniques. Wide variety of heirloom fruits, vegetables, community green space and public open hours. Student program in partnership with P.S. 140. Currently home to 40 egg laying

chickens, Bkfarmyard’s egg CSA, as well as urban chicken raising workshops. More info: www.bkfarmyards.com Mama Dee’s Garden – 1397 Bedford Avenue at St. Mark’s Ave. Vegetable gardens, community space, public hours, opportunities for youth gardening. 1100 Block Bergen Association Garden – 1100 and 1005 Bergen St. between New York Ave. and Nostrand Ave. Mature shade trees, children’s workshops, vegetable beds. One of the first NYC community gardens to utilize a rainwater harvesting system. Eastern Parkway Garden – Union St. between Franklin Ave. and Classon Ave. Green Thumb NYC is assisting this garden in rebuilding after numerous disruptions caused by its location so close to the Shuttle Station on Eastern Parkway. Traditional site of large vegetable producing garden. Stay tuned for future developments! EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Access to comprehensive nutrition and health education for both children and adults creates communities that are able to make informed choices about food, exercise and the local environment and to demand more and better health and nutrition resources.

Seeds in the Middle – P.S. 91, 522 Albany Ave. at East New York Ave. “Inspiring Social Change through Sustainable Health.” The Seeds program, named by 4th graders, currently operates at P.S. 91 and integrates indoor and outdoor gardens and nutritional education, the Hip2BHealthy Market for healthy food snack choices, sports, arts, cooking, field trips related to health and nutrition and parent/child/school employee events centered around healthy food and recreational activities. P.S. 221 and M.S. 394, also in Crown Heights, have begun to integrate some of Seeds’ programs into their classrooms. For more information and how to volunteer go to www.seedsinthemiddle.org. Contact: Nancie Katz

917-697-3745 seedsinthemiddle@gmail.com High School for Public Service Youth Farm – 600 Kingston Ave. at Rutland Rd. In partnership with Bkfarmyards, the High School for Public Service is turning the school’s one acre lawn into an

educational working farm. The Farm will be integrated into the school curriculum with lessons on sustainable agriculture, nutrition and community development. The crops will be sold to the community at a student run farmstand (see Farmers Markets section). Go to www.bkfarmyards.com to learn about volunteer opportunities, upcoming events and to view photos of the farm’s progress. The Nutrition and Health Program of Cornell University Extension Central Brooklyn Branch – 1345 President St., between Brooklyn Ave. and Kingston Ave. Through its education initiatives, the Cornell Cooperative Extension assists individuals of all ages to make informed decisions about food and nutrition, health and fitness, resource management, food safety, parenting and health care. Its major programs include Expended Food and Nutrition Education Program, Eat Smart New York, Emergency Food Assistance Program, Kitchens of Faith, Food and Nutrition Learning Centers and Farmers Market Nutrition Education Program. Contact: Khin Mar Cho, Ph.D.

718-363-1016 Ext.326 Fax 718-493-1768 kc458@cornell.edu

Berean Community and Family Life Center – 1641 Bergen St., between Utica Ave. and Rochester Ave.“Where hearts of love and hands of hope meet to embrace the whole you.” First faith-based organization in New York City to focus primarily on health and wellness for adults and kids. Created as a community development corporation by the historic Berean Baptist Church. Programs include Life Cycle, 8-week program for adults that supports health, wellness, weight loss and fitness goals through nutrition and behavior modification classes, a fitness segment and sharing of healthy meals; “Weigh-to-go Kids” an 8 week program for kids 8-13 focusing on lifelong success in weight management and featuring meal planning, nutritional counseling, exercise and fitness; Life Cycle Support peer group for Life Cycle participants; Sit and Get Fit chair aerobics; Body and Soul nutrition education; Search Your Heart sponsored by American Heart Association; Cardio Kickboxing; One-on-One Nutritional Counseling; and Go Teens Go health and fitness especially for teenagers. Also sponsors events such as an Annual Walk Against Childhood Obesity. Contact: info@bereancommunity.org

718-778-2938

FARMERS MARKETS Farmers markets are a great way for small local and urban farms to sell their produce in the open air. Farmers sell whatever is fresh and in season. Many farmers vending at markets use organic and/or sustainable practices. Weeksville Farmers Market – 1698 Bergen St. between Buffalo Ave. and Rochester Ave. Saturdays from 9:00am to 4:00pm mid-June through October. Located at Weeksville Heritage Center, which documents and preserves the history of the free and intentional 19th century African American community of Weeksville. The historic Hunterfly Road Houses, located at the Center and dating from 1840-1880s, are original domestic structures of the historic community. Features wide variety of locally grown produce, honey, jams and baked good. Accepts EBT, FMNP, senior coupons and Health Bucks. Free gardening and cooking workshops for all ages including food tastings, cooking demos sponsored by Just Food and container gardening and composting classes. www.weeksvillesociety.org Contact: 718-756-5250

info@weeksvillesociety.org

Urban Oasis Farmers Market – Look for blue tent and gazebo at corner of Clarkson Ave. and Troy Ave. Sponsored by Kingsboro Psychiatric Center and Cornell University Co-Operative Extension. Wednesdays 1:30-6:00 pm July-November. Urban Oasis is a vocational program at the Kingsboro Psychiatric Center in which clients learn horticultural skills and grow organic, non-GMO plants onsite, both outdoors and in a commercial-grade greenhouse, many reflecting the Caribbean culture of the neighborhood. Vegetables, house plants and seasonal local fruits are sold. Accepts NYS Farmers Market Checks and EBT. Contact: Susan Braverman

susan.braverman@omh.state.ny.us 718-221-7132

H.S. for Public Service Farmers Market – 600 Kingston Ave. between Rutland Rd. and Winthrop St. Wednesdays 3:30-7:00 pm starting late June. First season (2010) of this student-grown and operated farm stand (see Educational Programs Section). Collards, kale, turnip greens, radishes, beets, cilantro, basil, lettuce, salad greens and more as the summer progresses - maybe even eggs from Imani Garden! (see Community Gardens section.) www.bkfarmyards.com