Best Of

Best Neighborhood Justice Food Initiative

by

Courtesy of Rockaway Youth Task Force

Every Saturday from July to October on Beach 91st Street, residents of Far Rockaway line up to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at a farm stand set up by a dedicated group of local teenagers. Members of the Rockaway Youth Task Force sell seasonal goods like strawberries and sugar snap peas, some grown in their nearby community garden, at reasonable prices. The farm stand and garden were created as a temporary measure in 2013 after Hurricane Sandy shuttered several local businesses, causing a shortage of nutritious options in an already depleted neighborhood. Now the food stand, co-sponsored by local sustainability group GrowNYC, is celebrating its third year serving the community, and provides farm space for thirty Rockaway families. It also functions as an event space, hosting movie nights, family events, and the occasional farming lesson, as well as free cooking demonstrations featuring the week’s choice produce.

Rockaway Youth Task Force: 19-20 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, Queens

Community garden: 310 Beach 58th Street, Arverne, Queens

718-868-0386

rytf.org

 

Highlights