Hello Everyone:
It is a lovely Tuesday, almost fall, afternoon. The British Parliament has been officially suspended until mid-October and American National Security Adviser John Bolton is out. Otherwise, it has been a rather slow news day (sarcasm alert). Onward. Let us talk about urban farms.
harlemgrown.org |
Harlem Grown (harlemgrown.org; date accessed Sept. 10, 2019) "is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition" (Ibid). The organization was founded in 2011 and operates urban farms, increase access to and knowledge of healthy food in Harlem. What makes this program unique is that it brings the farms to a historic urban community, like most low- to moderate-income communities, that has more fast food restaurants and delis than grocery stores. This is problematic because, as convenient as a the corner deli maybe, it is not exactly the place to pick up the affordable ingredients for a fresh salad. Let us find out more about this program.
Happy children in the countryside freshairfund.publishpath.com |
Harlem Grown volunteer harlemgrown.org |
Council member Espinal recently introduced legislation (legistar.council.nyc.gov; Aug. 14, 2019; date accessed Sept. 10, 2019) that would establish an Office of Urban Agriculture, similar Boston's Office of Food Access (boston.gov; date accessed Sept. 10, 2019) and an Urban Agriculture Advisory Board to "support existing urban farms, promote local produce and help expand farming and nutrition" (nytimes.com; Aug. 30, 2019). Council member Espinal said,
Once you open up a child's mind up to that, it's easier to see other issues and how they're more prevalent in communities, or more affluent communities (Ibid).
In the South Bronx, the Culinary Arts program has home in the Patterson Houses, "only 4 percent of residents meet the federal recommendation of the five or more daily serving of fruit or vegetables, compared with 11 percent citywide" (nycfoodpolicy.org; date accessed Sept. 10, 2019).
Girls harvesting beets nytimes.com |
La Finca del Sur Community Garden citizensnyc.org |
I'd love to eat healthy, but it's hard,... It's so expensive, and it's not any good at the local supermarket. We have to travel to get something good (Ibid).
Culinary Arts also focuses on the campers' physical and emotional wellness. At the Patterson House, the camp starts with yoga. As the campers tend to their gardens, Culinary Arts co-founder Adriano Espaillat Jr., urges them to talk to their plants. It does help, not that Blogger has much experience in gardening, being a bit of a brown thumb.
A happy camper at Harlem Grown greenprophet.com |
Harlem is neither a food desert (cunyurbanfoodpolicy.org; June 30, 2016 date accessed Sept. 10, 2019) or a food swamp--where unhealthy foods prevail--there are super markets, including the ever present Whole Foods. Be that as it may, community members are not always the beneficiaries of the what is available (nytimes.com; May 8, 2015; date accessed Sept. 10, 2019). Despite city tax incentives intended to make healthier food available in underserved neighborhoods, some of the proposed projects have not materialized (Ibid: Apr. 17, 2015). Tony Hillery, Harlem Grown's founder and executive director, told The New York Times,
We don't use the term food desert: We call it a food apartheid, because it's man-made (Ibid, Aug. 30, 2019).
At the end of each day, a large box of farm fresh food is available for the parents and guardians when they come to pick up the campers. For some of the adults, it is the only way they get fresh produce.
We need more programs like Harlem Grown and Culinary Arts as a way to remedy the disparity in food justice in urban areas. It is not enough to advocate healthier lifestyle choices, you have take the action. Community programs are a step in this direction.
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