GENERAL RESOURCES FOR HEALTHIER
NEIGHBORHOODS
There are number of organizations that Crown
Heights residents can utilize to make access to
healthy foods easier. Below is a sample:
Brooklyn Food Coalition – A grassroots partnership
of groups and individuals working to achieve a just
and sustainable system for tasty, healthy and
affordable food and to provide a platform for
Brooklynites to speak to food issues. Sponsors
workshops, panels, conferences, events and much
more. A great resource for anyone looking to join a
local group and work on food issues.
www.brooklynfoodcoalition.ning.com
Just Food – A leading organization connecting local
farms to NYC neighborhoods and communities since
1995. Its mission is to unite local farms with city
residents of all economic backgrounds with fresh,
seasonal food grown sustainably. Assists community
gardens, urban farms and CSAs with wide array of
programs.
www.justfood.org or 212-645-9880 ext.221
Grow NYC – Winner of the EPA’s 2010 Environmental
Quality Award, this nonprofit organization runs 50
Greenmarkets across the city, as well as a wholesale
greenmarket, youth markets, the New Farmer
Development Project and programs related to
recycling, environmental education and community
gardens. Let’s bring a Green Market and/or Youth
Market to Crown Heights! www.grownyc.org
Green Thumb NYC – Established in 1978, and a
program of the NYC Parks Dept. since 1995, this
organization is the nations’s largest urban gardening
program, providing assistance to over 600 gardens
and 20,000 garden members throughout NYC. Want
help starting a community garden or maintain,
revitalize or expand an existing one? Green Thumb
can help! Sponsor of numerous workshops and
programs throughout the year.
www.greenthumbnyc.org or 212-788-8070
East New York Farms – 613 New Lots Ave.
Successful program combining urban farming,
community gardening and individual gardening
support, youth programs, workshops, volunteer
farming days, a farm stand and more. A great
resource for learning more about the urban farming
movement and how to do it right!
www.eastnewyorkfarms.org or 718-649-7999
Hattie Carthan Community Garden and Farmers
Market – Lafayette Ave. and Clifton Pl. at Marcy
Ave., Bed Stuy. “Growing fresh food & healthy
people in Central Brooklyn.” Large active
community garden and farmers market. Workshops,
youth programs, cooking demos, community events,
a new chicken coop and more! Provides a wealth of
information for anyone looking to revitalize their
neighborhoods through healthy food, gardening,
urban farming and green space.
www.hattiechartancommunitygarden.com or 718-
638-3566
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)
Community Supported Agricultures (CSAs) provide
city residents with the opportunity to become
shareholders in small farms by purchasing a portion
of the farm’s crops during a particular season.
Small farmers stay in business and urban folks
receive a weekly or bi-weekly supply of fresh local
produce, generally grown with organic and
sustainable methods.
Central Brooklyn CSA – Distribution Site: Hebron
SDA Church, 1256 Dean St (corner of New York Ave).
Farm Partner: Mimo Mex Farm, Goshen, NY. Free of
chemical pesticides/fertilizers; working toward
organic certification. Vegetable, fruit and egg
shares. 22 week season starting in June. Sliding
scale payment system; accepts SNAP benefits.
Sponsored in part by Farm Fresh Initiative, a
program run by the New York City Coalition Against
Hunger. Trip to farm generally included in share.
More info at:
www.centralbrooklyncsa.wordpress.com.
Contact: Maia Raposo
mraposo@nyccah.org
212-825-0028, ext. 205
Crown Heights CSA – Distribution Site: Georgia’s
Place, 691 Prospect Place at Bedford Avenue.
Vegetable shares from Sang Lee Farms (NOFA-NY
Certified Organic) and meat, poultry, cheese and
bread from Lewis Waite Farms, as well as fair trade
coffee from Crop to Cup. 23 week season starting in
June. Limited income payment plans are available
on a case-by-case basis. Trip to farm generally
included in share. More info and contact form at
www.crownheightscsa.org.
HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Crown Heights needs more options for fresh produce
and other healthy foods, especially sustainable and
organic foodstuffs. Small grocery stores, bodegas,
and fruit stands do carry some fruits and vegetables
Crown Heights
and increasing amounts of certified organic produce.
Restaurants and cafes offer a vibrant variety of Eat Healthy/Eat Local
cuisines, including but not limited to Chinese,
Caribbean, African, kosher, soul food, contemporary Resource Guide
American, vegan and Ital food options. Also
independent companies making small batches of
locally sourced food products are growing in the
area. However, fast food abounds and tends to be
cheaper than other choices. A compilation of local resources
for eating healthy in our
For a healthier community:
neighborhood.
• Ask your local stores to stock food that is
affordable and contains high nutritional
value. Featuring information about:
• Encourage your neighborhood restaurants,
cafes, and grocery stores to buy locally and
organically, where possible, including from Community Gardens
community gardens and urban farms.
• Know what is in your food, educate yourself
Educational Programming
and your family about good nutrition and Farmers Markets
learn what foods to avoid. Eat healthy/eat
local!
Food Justice Organizations
Community Supported Agriculture
This resource guide was researched and created by
participants in the 2010 Leadership Training
Institute at Crown Heights Community Mediation
Center. The annual Leadership Training Institute at
the Mediation Center looks for passionate Crown
Heights residents who want to engage in community
issues and learn leadership skills together to make a
positive difference in Crown Heights. Contact the
Mediation Center if you would like to join the
program.
Funding for Leadership Training Institute is
provided by the New York City Council.
256 Kingston Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213
www.crownheights.org
crownheightsmediationcenter.blogspot.com
718-773-6886
EAT HEALTHY/EAT LOCAL RESOURCE GUIDE
You are what you eat. We have all heard this phrase
many times. But it’s not always so easy to know
what the healthiest food choice is or where to find
nutritious options that are reasonably priced.
Indeed, Central Brooklyn, of which Crown
Heights is a part, has been identified by many
studies in recent years as an underserved
neighborhood in terms of access to healthy food,
including fresh produce that is both affordable and
easily available. Diabetes, obesity and other chronic
illnesses related to the lack of a healthy, balanced
diet have become an epidemic in our neighborhood.
Luckily, we do have an increasing number of
organizations and businesses in Crown Heights, as
well as additional resources throughout NYC,
working to improve quality of life by providing
nutritional/agricultural education, green space,
community and urban gardening options, local,
sustainable and organic food choices and exercise
and wellness centers. This guide is not meant to be
exhaustive; rather we hope that it will start a
conversation about what is already available in our
neighborhood, what should be made available and
how we can all become involved in creating a
healthier food environment for ourselves and our
neighbors. Eat healthy/eat local and enjoy!
COMMUNITY GARDENS
Urban community gardens provide green space,
outdoor recreational facilities, improve air quality
and often utilize derelict vacant lots. Increasingly,
community gardeners are also growing vegetables
and herbs, as well as raising chickens for fresh eggs.
As a result, community gardens play a vital role in
providing agricultural/nutritional information and
healthy food options for community residents.
Walt L. Shamal Community Garden – 1095 Dean St.
between Franklin Ave. and Bedford Ave. Vegetable
beds, plant sales, currently home to six egg laying
chickens. Sponsors Green Thumb NYC workshops
open to the public. Hosts annual “Arts on Dean
Festival” in August.
Imani Garden – 87-91 Schenectady Ave. between
Dean St. and Pacific St. Site restored in 2008 with
assistance of New York Restoration Project utilizing
permaculture techniques. Wide variety of heirloom
fruits, vegetables, community green space and
public open hours. Student program in partnership
with P.S. 140. Currently home to 40 egg laying
chickens, Bkfarmyard’s egg CSA, as well as urban
chicken raising workshops. More info:
www.bkfarmyards.com
Mama Dee’s Garden – 1397 Bedford Avenue at St.
Mark’s Ave. Vegetable gardens, community space,
public hours, opportunities for youth gardening.
1100 Block Bergen Association Garden – 1100 and
1005 Bergen St. between New York Ave. and
Nostrand Ave. Mature shade trees, children’s
workshops, vegetable beds. One of the first NYC
community gardens to utilize a rainwater harvesting
system.
Eastern Parkway Garden – Union St. between
Franklin Ave. and Classon Ave. Green Thumb NYC is
assisting this garden in rebuilding after numerous
disruptions caused by its location so close to the
Shuttle Station on Eastern Parkway. Traditional site
of large vegetable producing garden. Stay tuned for
future developments!
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Access to comprehensive nutrition and health
education for both children and adults creates
communities that are able to make informed
choices about food, exercise and the local
environment and to demand more and better health
and nutrition resources.
Seeds in the Middle – P.S. 91, 522 Albany Ave. at
East New York Ave. “Inspiring Social Change through
Sustainable Health.” The Seeds program, named by
4th graders, currently operates at P.S. 91 and
integrates indoor and outdoor gardens and
nutritional education, the Hip2BHealthy Market for
healthy food snack choices, sports, arts, cooking,
field trips related to health and nutrition and
parent/child/school employee events centered
around healthy food and recreational activities. P.S.
221 and M.S. 394, also in Crown Heights, have begun
to integrate some of Seeds’ programs into their
classrooms. For more information and how to
volunteer go to www.seedsinthemiddle.org.
Contact: Nancie Katz
917-697-3745
seedsinthemiddle@gmail.com
High School for Public Service Youth Farm – 600
Kingston Ave. at Rutland Rd. In partnership with
Bkfarmyards, the High School for Public Service is
turning the school’s one acre lawn into an
educational working farm. The Farm will be
integrated into the school curriculum with lessons
on sustainable agriculture, nutrition and community
development. The crops will be sold to the
community at a student run farmstand (see Farmers
Markets section). Go to www.bkfarmyards.com to
learn about volunteer opportunities, upcoming
events and to view photos of the farm’s progress.
The Nutrition and Health Program of Cornell
University Extension Central Brooklyn Branch –
1345 President St., between Brooklyn Ave. and
Kingston Ave. Through its education initiatives, the
Cornell Cooperative Extension assists individuals of
all ages to make informed decisions about food and
nutrition, health and fitness, resource management,
food safety, parenting and health care. Its major
programs include Expended Food and Nutrition
Education Program, Eat Smart New York, Emergency
Food Assistance Program, Kitchens of Faith, Food
and Nutrition Learning Centers and Farmers Market
Nutrition Education Program.
Contact: Khin Mar Cho, Ph.D.
718-363-1016 Ext.326
Fax 718-493-1768
kc458@cornell.edu
Berean Community and Family Life Center – 1641
Bergen St., between Utica Ave. and Rochester
Ave.“Where hearts of love and hands of hope meet
to embrace the whole you.” First faith-based
organization in New York City to focus primarily on
health and wellness for adults and kids. Created as a
community development corporation by the historic
Berean Baptist Church. Programs include Life Cycle,
8-week program for adults that supports health,
wellness, weight loss and fitness goals through
nutrition and behavior modification classes, a
fitness segment and sharing of healthy meals;
“Weigh-to-go Kids” an 8 week program for kids 8-13
focusing on lifelong success in weight management
and featuring meal planning, nutritional counseling,
exercise and fitness; Life Cycle Support peer group
for Life Cycle participants; Sit and Get Fit chair
aerobics; Body and Soul nutrition education; Search
Your Heart sponsored by American Heart
Association; Cardio Kickboxing; One-on-One
Nutritional Counseling; and Go Teens Go health and
fitness especially for teenagers. Also sponsors events
such as an Annual Walk Against Childhood Obesity.
Contact: info@bereancommunity.org
718-778-2938
FARMERS MARKETS
Farmers markets are a great way for small local and
urban farms to sell their produce in the open air.
Farmers sell whatever is fresh and in season. Many
farmers vending at markets use organic and/or
sustainable practices.
Weeksville Farmers Market – 1698 Bergen St.
between Buffalo Ave. and Rochester Ave. Saturdays
from 9:00am to 4:00pm mid-June through October.
Located at Weeksville Heritage Center, which
documents and preserves the history of the free and
intentional 19th century African American
community of Weeksville. The historic Hunterfly
Road Houses, located at the Center and dating from
1840-1880s, are original domestic structures of the
historic community. Features wide variety of locally
grown produce, honey, jams and baked good.
Accepts EBT, FMNP, senior coupons and Health
Bucks. Free gardening and cooking workshops for all
ages including food tastings, cooking demos
sponsored by Just Food and container gardening and
composting classes. www.weeksvillesociety.org
Contact: 718-756-5250
info@weeksvillesociety.org
Urban Oasis Farmers Market – Look for blue tent
and gazebo at corner of Clarkson Ave. and Troy Ave.
Sponsored by Kingsboro Psychiatric Center and
Cornell University Co-Operative Extension.
Wednesdays 1:30-6:00 pm July-November. Urban
Oasis is a vocational program at the Kingsboro
Psychiatric Center in which clients learn
horticultural skills and grow organic, non-GMO
plants onsite, both outdoors and in a commercial-
grade greenhouse, many reflecting the Caribbean
culture of the neighborhood. Vegetables, house
plants and seasonal local fruits are sold. Accepts
NYS Farmers Market Checks and EBT.
Contact: Susan Braverman
susan.braverman@omh.state.ny.us
718-221-7132
H.S. for Public Service Farmers Market – 600
Kingston Ave. between Rutland Rd. and Winthrop St.
Wednesdays 3:30-7:00 pm starting late June. First
season (2010) of this student-grown and operated
farm stand (see Educational Programs Section).
Collards, kale, turnip greens, radishes, beets,
cilantro, basil, lettuce, salad greens and more as
the summer progresses - maybe even eggs from
Imani Garden! (see Community Gardens section.)
www.bkfarmyards.com