Visit a Farm This Summer: Hells Kitchen Farm Project; NYCHA Farm; Seeds to Feed Rooftop Farm

by Alexina Cather, MPH

By Lauren Lindstrom

In the third post of our Farm Series, we highlight three farms that were established to feed and nourish low-income communities.


Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project

Location: Metro Baptist Church Rooftop, 410 W 40th Street, New York, NY (Hell’s Kitchen)

Founded: In 2010, as a collaboration among four neighborhood organizations: Clinton Housing Development Company, Metro Baptist Church, Rauschenbush Metro Ministries, and Metropolitan Community Church

One of the many reasons they’re amazing: This volunteer-run farm is seeking to create a more food-secure community, and to teach youth about food, farming, and food justice and through its Youth Summer Internship Program

Farm size: 4,000 square feet of roof, with 1,000 square feet of raised beds

What’s growing: Herbs, blueberries, and a variety of vegetables, including beans, cabbage, collard greens, garlic, kale, lettuce, potatoes, radishes, scallions, tomatoes, and more

Amount produced annually: 300-400 pounds of produce

Where to find their products: Everything they grow on the roof is given back to the community free of charge in the Rauschenbush Metro Ministries Food Pantry

When to visit: Open to the public on volunteer days, every Thursday and Saturday from 10am- 1pm; to visit with a large group, see their website for more information and requested donation amounts

Take the kids: They welcome school groups of all ages; more information is on their website

Online: Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter


NYCHA Farm

Location: NYCHA Red Hook Houses West, 10-46 Wolcott Street, Brooklyn (Red Hook)

Founded: In 2013, by Green City Force in collaboration with Added Value and the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA)

One of the many reasons they’re amazing: They were the first-ever farm located on NYCHA property — farmed for and by residents — and are now the pilot for NYCHA’s Urban Agriculture Initiative, which has given rise to three additional NYCHA farms (at Bay View Houses in Canarsie, Howard Houses in Brownsville, and Wagner Houses in East Harlem)

Farm size: 1.1 acres

What’s growing: Fruits and vegetables

Amount produced annually: 2 tons of produce

Where to find their products: Produce is sold at their Farm Stand on Wednesdays from 10am-2pm (on Wolcott between Dwight & Richards Streets from Jun-Nov) and donated to NYCHA residents in exchange for volunteer work at the farm or for bringing their household compost to the site in a pound-for-pound exchange

When to visit: Open to the public anytime

Online: Follow Green City Force on Facebook and Twitter and Added Value on Facebook and Instagram


Seeds to Feed Rooftop Farm

Location: Georgia’s Place, 691 Prospect Place, Brooklyn (Crown Heights)

Founded: In 2013 by Community Counseling and Mediation (CCM), a nonprofit organization providing mental health, supportive housing, and youth services

One of the many reasons they’re amazing: The farm provides not only sustainably grown food but also an outdoor recreation and a therapeutic outlet to residents of Georgia’s Place, a supportive housing residence for formerly homeless and low-income adults

Farm size: N/A

What’s growing: Vegetables, herbs, and flowers

Amount produced annually: N/A

Where to find their products: The food is available to residents

When to visit: Contact Seeds to Feed at georgiasplace@ccmnyc.org for more information on visiting the farm

Online: Follow them on Tumblr


Photo credit: Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project

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