Photo Credit: GrowNYC.org
NY 1 covered the story of our partnership with GrowNYC to expand the Fort Greene Park Greenmarket in Brooklyn; view video here. We are thrilled to see two of our partners and allies from the Walt Whitman Victory Garden representing this call to action! The goals of the expansion are to:
- Lead to greater market participation by Fort Greene residents living north of Fort Greene Park, especially those living at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Ingersoll and Whitman Houses, creating an opportunity to positively impact the health and wellness of thousands of families and seniors.
- Inform what new products and price points need to be at the market in order to serve all Fort Greene residents.
- Better connect residents shopping with benefits to existing neighborhood resources like the Greenmarket, possibly even influencing that market to evolve to better meet the needs of low-income customers over time.
- Support City, State and Federal Food Benefit programs, ensuring sustainability of these essential food supplement incentives that allow all residents to access fresh, healthy foods.
- Increase the revenue of participating regional farmers, supporting their ability to continue bringing local, fresh food to Fort Greene.
- Decrease shopping congestion.
Earlier this month GrowNYC received CB 2 Transportation and Safety Committee support and next steps are in progress. We received 350 support signatures at market, nearly 100 on the on-line petition and support from multiple Elected Officials including Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Assemblyman Joseph Lentol and Assemblyman Walter Mosley and numerous Resident Associations, local businesses, and Community Based Organizations. Thank you to all who have supported this effort!
