GrowNYC

For nearly 50 years, GrowNYC’s Greenmarket program has been the heart of New York City’s connection to farm-fresh food and community. It all started in 1976 with one mission: support struggling regional farms and bring local food to New Yorkers. But Greenmarkets have grown to be so much more—they’re vibrant ‘third places’ where diverse communities come together! ✨ What’s a ‘third place’?
It’s an informal gathering spot, neither home nor work, where people connect and build community. That’s exactly what our Greenmarkets do—fostering interaction, creating neutral spaces, and nurturing a sense of belonging through the shared love of fresh, local produce. GrowNYC’s impact today:
We work with over 200 regional producers on 45+ Greenmarkets across the 5 boroughs. Greenmarkets are also crucial in addressing food insecurity and promoting equitable access to fresh food by accepting nutrition benefits like EBT, OTC, and more. At every market, we’re building bridges: between farmers and city residents, between communities and fresh food, and between neighbors. Together, we’re supporting local agriculture, combating food insecurity, and protecting farmland for future generations. If you love GrowNYC, please support our work by making a donation. Make a gift by visiting https://lnkd.in/eUy9CV5

Did you know we lose a farm every 3 days in the Northeast? With nearly one-third of New York farmers over the age of 65, the future of farming is at a crossroads. That’s why GrowNYC is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of farmers who will ensure food security, strengthen rural economies, and champion sustainability. Through our Farmer Assistance Program, GrowNYC: 🌱 Identifies and supports aspiring, underrepresented farmers with the skills to start their own farm businesses. 🌱 Provides FREE technical assistance in business planning, marketing, sales, and financial management—offered in both English and Spanish. 🌱Creates business opportunities through Greenmarkets and our Food Hub to help new farmers thrive. GrowNYC fosters a resilient regional system by supporting regional farmers to establish and maintain sustainable farm business. These farmers help ensure a stable food supply, strengthen rural economies, and promote sustainability, benefiting both the environment and public health. Help GrowNYC continue this work by making a donation - visit the https://lnkd.in/eUy9CV5 Our work runs on support from friends like you. 💚

Take Action Now! If the election results have inspired you to take action, we welcome you to join us: - Support our work: We are a 501(c)(3) and our work runs on support from friends like you. When you invest in GrowNYC, you are investing in programs that make New York City a more sustainable place for all. Visit https://lnkd.in/eUy9CV5 to make a donation. - Join your local community garden: While gardening season is coming to a close, winter is still a great time to prepare and organize with community gardeners for next season. Join one of NYC's 600 existing community gardens, find one at GrowNYC’s garden projects or NYC Parks GreenThumb. - Support Regional Agriculture: Find the GrowNYC Greenmarket or Farmstand closest to you and support small local farmers. - Volunteer: GrowNYC has opportunities for individuals and corporate groups to dig in and help us make New York City greener and healthier for all. Create a volunteer profile and sign up for an upcoming orientation. - Spread the word! Share this with your friends, family, and colleagues. Encourage them to join you in making a difference for the environment!

New York City is enduring a record stretch of inadequate rainfall. These dry conditions have sparked wildfires in Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Upstate New York, and underscore the critical need for local water conservation in our changing climate. Why it matters: No natural resource is more important to community gardeners than water, and identifying and ensuring a dependable source is vital to every garden's success. GrowNYC has been building and revitalizing gardens and green spaces for nearly 50 years. During a severe drought in 2001, we partnered with NYC Parks GreenThumb to pioneer the design of urban rainwater harvesting systems to help community gardens stay alive. Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rainwater for future use. The practice of rainwater harvesting has been used by many cultures throughout human history but had previously declined as urbanization has demanded a more centralized water supply system. The bottom line: Due to water pollution, drought, and increasing water demands, rainwater harvesting has once again become an important component of our built environment and a way to help create more resilient and sustainable cities and green spaces. By the numbers: GrowNYC has built over 140 rainwater harvest systems in NYC, collecting more than 1.5 million gallons of water annually. Support our work! We are a 501(c)(3) and our work runs on support from friends like you. Support us by making a one time tax-deductible donation! Donate: https://lnkd.in/eUy9CV5 #drought #NYCdrought

As featured in the Bronx Times, a critical new partnership between GrowNYC, the Graham Windham O.U.R. Place Family Enrichment Center, and The Point CDC is addressing the urgent food insecurity faced by families in the Bronx. Through this collaboration, GrowNYC is delivering locally-produced fruits, vegetables, eggs, and grains from New York State producers and farms, with a special emphasis on promoting and uplifting historically underrepresented farms businesses. With the Bronx having the highest rate of food insecurity in New York State, and the need for immediate action is undeniable. We need your help to continue this vital work - donate today to help GrowNYC ensure fresh, nutritious food reaches those who need it most, and to sustain the long-term viability of our local farms and communities. Donate: https://lnkd.in/eUy9CV5

For those of us dedicated to environmental action, justice, and sustainability, the recent election’s implications are profound. Our work and the communities we serve are facing significant challenges. 8 years ago, GrowNYC saw firsthand the destructive impact of policies that aimed to dismantle vital environmental, agricultural, and food security protections. Today, we find ourselves on the brink of similar threats. But this isn’t a time for despair—it’s a moment to come together, to reinvest and strengthen our commitment to each other, our planet, and our communities. Since 1970, GrowNYC has been powered by New Yorkers like you. Together, we’ve advocated for lasting environmental solutions, created green spaces, provided fresh produce to those in need, and empowered countless individuals to grow food, build community, and protect our urban environment. While much has changed, our mission and spirit remain as strong as ever. Today, we’re calling on you to help ensure that GrowNYC can continue to be a beacon of sustainability for all of NYC. The path to a just and sustainable future is long, and we cannot walk it alone. Your support now is more critical than ever. Will you stand with us in this fight for a future where all New Yorkers can thrive in a healthy, sustainable, and equitable city? Please consider making a tax deductible donation today. Every contribution makes a difference. Together, we’ll face the challenges ahead with resilience and hope. Make a gift by visiting https://bit.ly/3llpo1Z Thank you for being a part of our community and for your unwavering commitment.

Join GrowNYC for a Guided Tour and Cooking Demo at the Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket! NYC teachers, looking to bring hands-on food education to your classroom? Join us for a FREE unique training designed just for you! We’ll take you on an in-person guided tour of the Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket, where you’ll learn how to guide your students through the market and connect them to the local food system. Plus, participate in a cooking demo using fresh, locally grown ingredients! Cornell Cooperative Extension In NYC  will provide the cooking demo. This is perfect for NYC DOE K-12 teachers who want to introduce food education and basic cooking skills into their lessons. Join us on November 5 from 9 AM - 12 PM. 🔗 Visit https://bit.ly/4f3R7zQ to reserve your spot!

Looking to get involved with GrowNYC and make a difference in New York City? Join our Virtual Volunteer Orientation on Friday, November 8, 5 PM - 6 PM (sign up here: https://bit.ly/4fHU9Kb ), where our Volunteer Program Manager will introduce you to GrowNYC’s work in local agriculture, food access, and our variety of impactful volunteer roles! Volunteer opportunities Include: Greenmarket Volunteers — Help us support local farmers at GrowNYC Greenmarkets by creating a welcoming environment and ensuring that fresh produce reaches New Yorkers across the city. Outreach Volunteers — Get the word out! Support GrowNYC’s mission by engaging with communities and ensuring everyone knows about their access to fresh, local produce. Food Education Volunteers — Join our Seed to Plate program, inspiring NYC public school students to make healthy choices and learn about the importance of local food through hands-on activities! Whether you're interested in working at Greenmarkets, engaging communities, or helping in food education, there’s a place for you! Volunteers must be 18+. Attendance at an orientation is required to participate. Sign up for orientation today! Let’s work together to make NYC a greener, more sustainable place for everyone! #volunteer

GrowNYC was thrilled to welcome another team from Bloomberg to our McCarren Park Demonstration Garden for a day of meaningful volunteer work. Their efforts—building, staining, and sanding picnic tables, and decorating produce bags—play a crucial role in sustaining our work across New York City. Corporate partnerships like this are vital in helping GrowNYC continue our mission to create green spaces, improve food access, and build resilient communities. With Bloomberg’s help, GrowNYC is making a lasting impact, one project at a time.

Give the Gift of Health with Greenmarket Bucks! This upcoming holiday season, show your appreciation by gifting the freshest, most delicious local food! Purchase Greenmarket Bucks from GrowNYC, the perfect incentive for your clients or employees. Greenmarket Bucks are an incredible way for businesses, community groups, and non-profits to motivate and reward their teams or community members. With a $500 minimum purchase and a 50% discount on the admin fee, it's an opportunity you won't want to miss. *Please note, Greenmarket Bucks are not available to individuals for purchase as gift certificates. Join us in empowering our community to access fresh, nutritious food while elevating your brand's impact. Learn more about how you can get involved today by visiting https://lnkd.in/dqb57jGi, or contact our Food Access Initiatives team at fai@grownyc.org.💚