“The Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry is a triumph in itself. Before this, residents would travel outside of our neighborhood because we have only one supermarket with one aisle of poor quality produce. Thank you for making our need for fresh food a priority”- Ms. Andrews, Farragut Resident Association President

Here in Fort Greene, many residents face a significant lack of access to fresh, affordable food. Even as new food retail options continue to arrive, some residents with limited budgets are finding it difficult to feed their families, and many have to travel outside of the neighborhood to find affordable options.

Since 2007, MARP has examined the local food system and explored new initiatives that improve access to fresh, affordable food for all residents.  From creating a Community Supported Agriculture program, to providing nutrition education at community events, to expanding community gardens on public housing grounds and launching a local Farm Stand – MARP has worked year after year to creatively address this neighborhood challenge in partnership with community leaders and residents.

This year MARP brought together local partners and City Harvest to launch the Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry, a new fresh produce pantry to help fight high levels of food insecurity here in Fort Greene.

Since the opening of the Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry this September, we have:

• delivered nearly 30,000 lbs. of produce – FREE of charge – to residents of Farragut, Ingersoll and Whitman Houses
• placed nutritious food directly into the hands of over 1,000 households, many including seniors and children
• built community relationships with local organizations that want to prioritize the food-related needs of our community
• provided on site cooking demonstrations by our community chefs, using available produce and easy affordable, recipes

We’re very proud of our work to address the food access challenges some of our neighbors continue to face. Won’t you please consider an end-of-the-year contribution to ensure the continuation of this initiative?  DONATE TODAY!

The Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry will be held this Saturday, December 19th, at a new indoor location, the Navy Yard Boys and Girls Club at 240 Nassau Street, between Navy and Gold Streets.

The Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry, operated by the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC in partnership with City Harvest, will provide nearly 10,000 pounds of FREE fresh produce and recipes to residents of Farragut, Ingersoll and Whitman Houses on the third Saturday of each month throughout the year.

Where does the produce come from?  City Harvest provides all of the fresh produce to the Fort Greene & Farragut Fresh Pantry. With a fleet of 22 refrigerated trucks, City Harvest collects excess food from all segments of the food industry, including restaurants, grocers, bakeries, farmers markets, corporate cafeterias, manufacturers, and farms. City Harvest has nearly 2,000 generous food donors!

We are indoors beginning in December!

When: Third Saturday of each month

Upcoming indoor Dates: December 19th, January 16th February 20^th & March 19th

Where: Navy Yard Boys & Girls Club, 240 Nassau Street, between Navy & Gold Streets

Time: 9:30am – 11:30am

Registration:  Starts at 9am on site at the Navy Yard Boys and Girls Club.  Only residents of Farragut, Whitman or Ingersoll Houses are eligible to register. Please bring proof of address with matching photo ID & plastic bags for your produce!

Have Questions or Want to Volunteer?  Please contact Shaquana Boykin, (718) 230-1689 Ext. 5# or Shaquana@myrtleavenue.org or Shadonae Stanley, Shadonae@myrtleavenue.org

Project Partners: Fresh Pantry is made possible thanks to a partnership with the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporationand Forest City Ratner Companies with help & support from Whitman. Ingersoll & Farragut Resident Association Presidents.