March 18, 2016 – Food Bank and Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on Staten Island kicked off our 2016 spring season urban farming training series. During the program, community leaders from Food Bank’s member charities learn how to start farms, grow produce, and process and distribute it effectively to provide more fresh food for the people they serve.
Since the beginning of our partnership with Snug Harbor almost a year ago, the ten-week training program series has produced 20 graduates from across the five boroughs. These schools, pantries, shelters, and social service organizations have built and maintained their own urban farming sites, allowing them to provide much-needed produce to their communities.
In addition to the urban farming program, Snug Harbor has designated land to produce vegetables for Food Bank member agencies on Staten Island. These food pantries and soup kitchens will distribute the produce throughout the community, increasing access to a variety of vegetables for low-income Staten Island residents.
Food Bank is proud to partner with Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden in providing increased access to fresh, local produce for people in need and training community members to start their own farms in urban areas across the five boroughs.