New York is surrounded by food resources that could not only feed thousands of families, but also provide local jobs.
This is the plan of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who released an 86-page plan in November to maximize the city’s food system.
The Speaker’s efforts include not only getting more fresh food on local tables, but also getting it made in New York and by New Yorkers — ensuring the money is funneled to local pockets.
“A great way to end hunger is to get someone a job where they can get the resources to buy food,” Quinn told Metro.
For example, one Council program helps train people to work in supermarkets. And in January, the Council helped open La Marqueta, a kitchen in East Harlem where culinary entrepreneurs can rent out kitchen space.
Even City Hall itself will start participating — Quinn said it is signed up for a CSA (community-supported agriculture) program, and will begin to receive local produce soon.
Another part of Quinn’s report, FoodWorks, focused on mapping New York City’s available regional food, completed by Columbia University’s Urban Design Lab.
The New York City Regional Foodshed takes an in-depth look at the production of food — and what’s available — in the New York City metropolitan area.
Through examining soil type, infrastructure and climate, it identifies how to create more local, sustainable food in New York.
565,760
Tons of residential waste per
year that consist of food scraps, according to the City Council
Drop off compost
Though the new composting programs, New Yorkers can drop off food scraps for compost at these Greenmarkets:
» Manhattan:
Union Square Greenmarket, Union Square Park
Abingdon Square Greenmarket, 12th St. and Eighth Ave.
Inwood Greenmarket, Isham and Cooper
Tribeca Greenmarket, Greenwich and Chambers
» Queens:
Sunnyside Greenmarket, Skillman Ave. and 42nd St.
Jackson Heights Greenmarket, 34th Ave. and 77th Street
» Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket, Court and Montague
Fort Greene Greenmarket, Washington Park at DeKalb
Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket, NW corner of Prospect Park
McCarren Park Greenmarket, Union Ave and Driggs
Follow Alison Bowen on Twitter at @AlisonatMetro.
