New Initiative Increases Student Connections to Local Fresh Food and Urban Farmers, Targeting Schools in Food-Insecure Communities

July 11, 2024

NEW YORK – The Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture (MOUA) today announced the conclusion of a successful first school year for its Reimagining Farm to School NYC program. In collaboration with MOUA and Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York, New York City Public Schools’ Office of Food & Nutrition Services (OFNS) received $200,000 through federal and state Farm to School grant programs to be used for agricultural education programming, increasing local food procurement of socially disadvantaged farmers and producers, and refurbishing learning gardens at public schools across the city. During the 2023-2024 school year, 100 students from five schools visited farms in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island through this initiative. Guided by urban farmers, they learned about culturally relevant crops grown and harvested in the city and enjoyed tasting a seasonal, nutritious, veggie-based recipe made by a Just Food Community Chef.

P.S. 721X students visit New Roots Community Farm with urban farmer Sunny Vazquez

“This was a great season for this innovative and immersive initiative that gives students hands-on agriculture learning opportunities and connects them with urban farmers right in their own communities,” said Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture Executive Director Qiana Mickie. “The students, teachers, and families came away with direct understanding of the importance of fresh, locally grown food grown in the city and the knowledge that there are farmers who look like them growing seasonal crops right here in NYC and stewarding vibrant green spaces for New Yorkers. They also were excited to learn about tasty, nutritious recipes that can be made at home with these veggies and cultural flavors already familiar to them.”   

“Schools are the centers of our communities, and they play a critical role in educating our young people on the importance of health and wellness for themselves and their families,” said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “This program helps our kids learn about the life cycle of food and supports farmers and producers locally and across New York State.”

“Here at the Department of Agriculture and Markets, ensuring every New Yorker has the healthy food they need to get through the day is one of our top priorities, and our Farm-to-School grant program is a huge piece of that puzzle,” said New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “This program helps ensure that New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds, in every corner of the state, have access to fresh, local foods and an understanding of where that food comes from, while also connecting our farmers to new markets in their communities. We congratulate our partners at the New York City Office of Food and Nutrition Services and the Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture on a successful first school year of this innovative program.”

P.S. 154 students learn about seasonal, nutritious food during Just Food Community Chef cooking demonstration 

The first cohort of Reimagining Farm to School NYC schools were P.S. 721X Stephen McSweeney School (a District 75 high school) and P.S. 154 Jonathan D. Hyatt Elementary School, both in the Bronx; P.S. 178 Saint Clair McKelway in Brooklyn; P.S. 154 Harriet Tubman in Manhattan; and P.S. 057 Hubert H. Humphrey on Staten Island. Students, parents, and teachers from these schools visited New Roots Community Farm in the Bronx, Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance Green Valley Farm in Brooklyn, and Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in Staten Island. The agricultural educational learning experiences continued in the classroom when the farmers visited the students and shared their working experience.

Urban farmer Sheryll Durrant of New Roots Community Farm teaches students about the importance of healthy soil with a planting exercise

The funds for the pilot initiative were allocated by the United States Department of Agriculture Patrick Leahy and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farm to School grant programs. MOUA is seeking funding for the next school year to scale up the successful program to reach more schools by creating more hands-on agricultural learning experiences for students such as planting and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the school gardens and farms. Additional funding would also go to expanding the farmer training to include more farmers in the cohort, expand technical assistance, and include an additional business certification track such as New York State Grown and Certified. The city’s first farmer/producer training will launch this fall. It’s designed to create new pathways to school food purchasing for New York State small-scale, socially disadvantaged farmers and NYC Small Business Services Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification.

“My class was super excited about this exchange,” said Jeremy Kottkamp, educator, P.S. 721X. “Meeting the farmer at 721X and having a chance to show the school’s garden and the plants they lovingly care for fostered a real excitement about the trip to the urban farm. My class spoke about the visit and shared their excitement about the trip to the farm daily. It was a meaningful experience, and we look forward to sharing more.” 

“Agriculture-based learning is a key tool in advancing climate justice,” said Elijah Hutchinson, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice. “The Reimagining Farm to School NYC initiative supports high-need schools by increasing food equity and creates the agriculture and climate leaders of tomorrow.” 

“Connecting with the soil and growing food on an urban farm is one of the most powerful experiences a person can have,” said Sheryll Durrant, food and agriculture coordinator, International Rescue Committee, New York New Roots Programs. “It’s so important that our children learn about the delicate ecosystem and balance of life that keeps our food growing. The Reimagining Farm to School in NYC initiative is among the best I have ever seen in providing this educational experience. I applaud the Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture for facilitating this programming and look forward to more in the future.” 

“We truly appreciate this wonderful opportunity for our students and school community to partner with the Mayor’s Office on this project,” said Peter Di Nuovo, assistant principal, P.S. 721X Stephen McSweeney School. “We have seen our students grow and learn as a result of our participation in this important work. Thank you again for all your help and support.”  

“The Farm to School program provides P.S. 154 students with hands-on opportunities to learn about sustainability, healthy eating, and urban farming,” said Alison Coviello, principal, P.S. 154 Jonathan D. Hyatt Elementary School. “Our students thrive when they get to plant, harvest, and taste. They are engrossed in each experience. Their excitement is palpable!”

CONTACT: Kimberly Winston, [email protected], 917-853-6832 or Amy Sohn, [email protected], 917-822-5478