Farms at NYCHA is part of Building Healthy Communities (BHC), a city-wide partnership designed to improve health outcomes in 12 neighborhoods in New York City. Through the initiative, young public housing residents are building and maintaining farms on public housing properties across the city to serve fellow residents, with local partners. The Farms expand healthy food access, provide youth workforce and leadership development, and promote sustainable and connected public housing communities.
Where are the farms and who runs them?
There are currently six farms. The farms are constructed and operated by 18 to 24 year-old NYCHA residents who are Green City Force (GCF) AmeriCorps Members. They partner with local community organizations at each site:
| Location | Community Partner |
|---|---|
| Bay View Houses, Canarsie, Brooklyn | East New York Farms! |
| Forest Houses, Morrisania, Bronx | La Finca del Sur |
| Howard Houses, Brownsville, Brooklyn | Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance Foundation |
| Mariner’s Harbor Houses, North Shore, Staten Island | |
| Red Hook Houses, Red Hook, Brooklyn | Added Value Farms |
| Wagner Houses, East Harlem, Manhattan | Harlem Grown |
How are the farms designed?
GCF Corps Members and NYCHA staff attend community meetings and gatherings at each development to get residents’ input on the farm’s plan and design. Residents are surveyed about location, size, and the crops they would like to grow.
Who gets the harvested food?
NYCHA residents receive free produce in exchange for volunteering on the farm or bringing household food scraps to the farm stand each week. See below for the date and time of your local farm stand.
How can NYCHA residents get involved?
There are many ways to help out, and enjoy the benefits of NYCHA Farms:
- Volunteer to help plant, water, and weed in exchange for fresh produce.
- Bring compostable food scraps (fruit/vegetable peels, coffee grounds, egg shells) to exchange for fresh produce.
- Attend a cooking demonstration, or community event at your local NYCHA farm.
If you are a NYCHA resident age 18-24, with a high school diploma or GED consider becoming a GCF AmeriCorps Member!
Where can I find out more?
Visit GCF’s Press page for up to date press coverage about the Farms at NYCHA and GCF’s other programs.
About the Farms
Bay View Houses Farm
Location: Bay View Houses, Canarsie, Brooklyn. At the center of the development. The closest street address is 2085 Rockaway Parkway. Google map.
Size: 2 acres
Farm Stand: Every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am – 2pm, June – November
CBO Partner: East New York Farms!
Forest Houses Farm
Location: Forest Houses, Morrisania, Bronx. At 730 East 165th Street. Google map.
Size: 1 & 1/3 acre
Farm Stand: Every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am – 2pm, June – November
CBO Partner: La Finca del Sur
Howard Houses Farm
Location: Howard Houses, Brownsville, Brooklyn. Behind the Brownsville Brooklyn Public Library branch at the end of Glenmore Ave. The closest street address is 60 Glenmore Ave. Google map.
Size: 3/4 acre
Farm Stand: Every Thursday and Saturday, 10am – 2pm, June – November
CBO Partner: Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance Foundation
Mariner’s Harbor Houses Farm
Location: Mariner’s Harbor Houses, North Shore, Staten Island. At 132 Brabant Street. Google map.
Size: 1 acre
Farm Stand: Every Thursday and Saturday, 10am – 2pm, June – November
Red Hook Houses Farm
Location: Red Hook Houses West, Red Hook, Brooklyn. Near 6 Wolcott Street between Dwight and Richards Streets. Google map.
Size: 1 acre
Farm Stand: Every Wednesday, 10am – 2pm, June – November
CBO Partner: Red Hook Farms, a project of Red Hook Initiative
Wagner Houses Farm
Location: Wagner Houses, East Harlem, Manhattan. At 122nd Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Google map.
Size: 1/3 acre
Farm Stand: Every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am – 2pm, June – November
CBO Partner: Harlem Grown
Wagner photo credit Harlem Grown. All other photos credit Green City Force. For more photos of the farms, visit our gallery page.
Farms at NYCHA is a collaboration between the New York City Housing Authority, Building Healthy Communities, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice‘s Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety, The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, the Fund for Public Health in New York, and Green City Force.
Led by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, Building Healthy Communities aims to improve opportunities for physical activity, expand access to healthy, affordable food, and promote public safety in 12 priority neighborhoods.
