I don’t know about you, but the recent food recalls and severe cases of cyclospora linked to lettuce have me thinking more seriously about where my food comes from — how it’s grown, and ways I can be a more active participant in my own food production, cultivation, and knowledge. Luckily for us, an organization called Harlem Grown exists. Their mission is to inspire young people to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition.
For the past 15 years, Harlem Grown has operated local urban farms, increased access to and knowledge about healthy food for Harlem residents, and provided farm-based development programs to Harlem youth. One of the many ways Harlem Grown fulfills their mission is by raising support for the physical renovation of abandoned lots in Harlem, transforming them into thriving urban farms. Currently, Harlem Grown has14 urban agriculture facilities, ranging from soil-based farms to hydroponic greenhouses and school gardens.
Tony Hillery, the CEO and visionary behind Harlem Grown, believes healthy habits start young. Harlem Grown’s programs target elementary-aged students, because they understand that food justice is more than just providing and distributing food. The model of Harlem Grown is to provide mentorship, education, and partnerships to create sustainable change.
Since 2011, Hillery has watched his program expand and grow like a well-nurtured garden. Hillery initially worked with 400 students to plant 400 seedlings, and they succeeded in growing 38 pounds of produce, working on skills like patience, teamwork, and responsibility along the way. Now, Harlem Grown has expanded to partner with five local Harlem schools, reached more than 7,000 youth, composted nearly 70,000 pounds of food scraps, and grown more than 5,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, distributing 213,800 pounds of fresh food to families in need throughout the community.
In addition to providing lifelong and life-affirming skills to young people, Harlem Grown has three farmstands in the community, providing fresh fruits and vegetables. So many people in our communities lack access to basic vegetables and non-processed food. Our diet is a road map to our short- and long-term health. Helping young people establish a love of fruits and vegetables is creating a much wider, interconnected web of healthy communities and people who can educate others.
Harlem Grown is providing a space in the community for people young and old to learn, grow, participate in camps and cooking lessons, and — most importantly — see themselves in the future healthy foundation of their communities. Hillery has created something truly special. Let’s be sure to support Harlem Grown and watch it grow for at least another 15 years.
To find out more about Harlem Grown, their various farmstands and programs, and ways you can donate to help this amazing (and necessary) work continue, go to www.harlemgrown.org.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is a professor at Fordham University; author; senior policy fellow at Brooklyn Org; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
