Slow Food NYC supports two programs that help children learn about good food and its effect on their health and well-being, the health of their communities, and the health of the planet. 

The programs, which are possible only with the support of Slow Food NYC members and friends, are Harvest Time in Schools and Neighborhood Harvest Farms.

To see Urban Harvest in action visit: http://blsciblogs.baruch.cuny.edu/jrn3510_s10/viktoriya

Harvest Time in Schools

Harvest Time in Schools started in 2007 as Harvest Time in Harlem at a single school in East Harlem.  Today, Harvest Time in Schools financially and logistically supports good food education in ten schools, three elementary and seven middle/high schools.

On average, in the nine public schools served, 73% of the students participate in the federal free lunch program for the children of low income families.  During the school year, September through June, Harvest Time in Schools, by way of teacher-created, school-specific, "slow" curricula and extra-curricular programs, touches the lives of hundreds of children through: creating, tending, and harvesting edible gardens; experiencing good food education, including hands-on cooking; operating "Farm Stands" selling fresh, local, seasonal produce; enjoying food-related class visits and school trips and, of course, tasting delicious, local, seasonal food.  Harvest Time in Schools also provides networking and experience sharing opportunities to foster creative synergies among Harvest Time teachers and students.  

Participating Schools:

The Bronx:
The Bronx Academy of Letters
The School for Wildlife Conservation

Manhattan:
The Children’s Storefront
The Earth School
The Essex Street Academy
Jacob August Riis

Brooklyn:
The Studio School of Arts and Culture
The Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders
Juan Morel Campos
Automotive High School
World Academy for Total Community Health (W.A.T.C.H.) High School.  

Neighborhood Farms:

The mission of Neighborhood Harvest Farms, started in the summer of 2010, operates small working “educational” farms in under-served NYC neighborhoods during July and August. SFNYC believes that in order to recreate healthy eating patterns lost due to lack of access to fresh food, children in these neighborhoods need hands-on, educational programs that will give them a comprehensive understanding of what good food is, including planting and harvesting and preparing and eating communal meals. We believe that by addressing these issues in an intensive learning environment, not only will children change their own eating habits; they will be inspired to share what they know with their families, friends, and community.

In Spring 2010, in partnership with Brownsville Multi-service Center (BMS) and East New York Urban Youth Corps, SFNYC obtained the fallow 4000 sf "Ujima" Garden in Brownsville, Brooklyn, with attached working kitchen and classroom. With the help of member support and the work of many volunteers we were able to clear the land and build our first farm.

In the summer of 2010, at Ujima Garden and two other community gardens, we inaugurated a six-week, four-hour a day program, serving over 40 neighborhood youth at no cost to them or their families. These children and their families, many for the first time ever, had access to fresh, local produce.

In summer 2011, the program will expand to a full day, six-week program with both high school and elementary students participating. The high schoolers will work alongside younger children as mentors. They will run a weekly farmstand in Brownsville and (luck and weather permitting) provide the community with fresh vegetables, eggs from their chickens, and honey from their bees. During the school year, W.A.T.C.H. High School, one of our Harvest Time Schools, will maintain the garden.

Visit the Neighborhood Harvest Farm Blog:
neighborhoodfarmsnyc.wordpress.com/

Please donate to support Slow Food NYC and the Urban Harvest Program:
www.SlowFoodNYC.org/donate

For more info about Slow Food NYC and how you can get involved, visit our main website:
www.SlowFoodNYC.org