As we get ready to move forward into 2022, we find ourselves in a time of uncertainty. This feeling of apprehension has been commonplace for almost the last two years. And in these times, it’s our community that holds us together and gives us hope.
Slow Food NYC was fortunate to receive that sense of community and support from you in 2021. Our Urban Harvest Farm at Ujima has supported our New York City neighbors suffering from food insecurity and food equity during the pandemic. As we prepare for 2022 and the next planting season, we need your support more than ever.
Looking back, we want to thank all the volunteers, farmer Jonathan, our panelists and speakers: Adrian Lipscombe, Lisa Held, Tania Denise Fields, Nate Cook, Peter Hoffman, Cathy Erway, and Chef Michele and the Lucciola team for helping Slow Food NYC with its mission for a good, clean, and fair food system for all New Yorkers.
Some of our notable 2021 Highlights:
🪴 Our annual Food Almanac virtual event with an innovative panel on the state and future of our food system post pandemic
🪴 A virtual book signing with Snailblazer and chef Peter Hoffman’s book launch of, “What’s Good? A Memoir in Fourteen Ingredients”
🪴 Featured local Brooklyn aquaponics farm, Oko Farms, to discuss their work in the community around food security and sustainability
🪴 Featured media sponsor for the Sanitation Foundation’s Food Waste Fair 2021
🪴 A new restaurant, Lucciola, added to our Snail of Approval network
🪴 Our Snail of Approval committee’s update of our restaurant network and Producer Matrix platform
🪴 Recipient of the NYC Green Relief and Recovery Fund Grassroots Grant to maintain and develop our grounds for the next planting season
🪴 Curated this summer's SloWeekends restaurant crawl in New York City as part of the Slow Food USA national campaign
🪴 Hosted two “Sunday at the Farm,” events for children and teens from around New York City to learn more about the Urban Harvest Farm at Ujima with games and activities; special thanks to Back to the Roots for their seed kit donation
🪴 Hosted two high school interns this summer to work on agricultural projects with Farmer Jonathan on our Urban Harvest Farm at Ujima
🪴 100 varieties of plants grown at our Urban Harvest Farm at Ujima
🪴 Nearly 1,000 pounds of farm-fresh veggies harvested this year
🪴 Over 500 pounds of plant material and food waste composted at Ujima
Sadly, 2021 brought the loss of long-time, beloved, Slow Food NYC member Anne Saxelby. Slow Food USA has established the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund to honor her work in sustainable systems and agriculture.
Despite all the continued restrictions in New York City, we’ve accomplished a great deal in 2021. This couldn’t have been accomplished without your support and generosity over the last twelve months.
This Giving Season, we’re raising crucial funds for our 2022 initiatives to help continue the work on our Farm at Ujima and support New York City with our mission to strive for a good, clean, and fair food system. Please help support our work with a charitable donation.
If you’re interested in volunteer opportunities in 2022, connect with us at info@slowfoodnyc.org. We’re looking forward to a bright new year and fulfilling our mission, with your support, in the year ahead.