Today is World Food Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation's call to action to rally together to help the world achieve food security. That sounds like a big ask, but if we all do our part and look within our own community, it's a goal that’s achievable.

Believe it or not, sometimes the daunting challenges can provide incredible joy, as proven last weekend at the Harlem Children's Zone, where Former President Bill Clinton, Dr. Oz, Alan Houston and Rachael Ray all gathered just a few floors below our Good Food Garden on the rooftop to talk to parents about the importance of feeding kids foods that help them grow and thrive.  Kendra and I gathered on the rooftop in the garden with a team from Share Our Strength, Whole Foods, and Culinary Corps to teach kids about composting, root vegetables, and healthful eating habits. By the time the kids got to us, they were amped up on worm knowledge and the healthful harvest soup of Chef Ann Cooper, the Renegade Lunch Lady and happy, mostly, to taste carrots, beets, snap peas and snow peas. For those that weren’t, we had another trick up our sleeve. We let reluctant veggie eaters pull their own carrots fresh from the ground, which delivered an audible gasp from a crowd of 6-year-olds, who were more than happy to try our treats after that.

It’s one simple step, exposing kids to the kinds of foods that will support good health, in hopes to develop the taste and habit for making go-foods (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) their go-to foods. But since it really starts with parents, I was honored to be asked to take the stage not long before Mr. Clinton, and speak to the them.

“We just pulled a carrot out of the ground on the rooftop in the middle of Harlem,” I said into the mic, which raised loud cheers and claps. I shared our message and mission about the good food gardens and I asked for the parents’ help. When I finished, and asked for questions, it seemed like half the hands in the room went up with questions about how they could start a garden on their rooftop, windowsill, or fire escape, and where to find more resources and support to feed their families better. It was chilling. There in just one room in one corner of the world were 400 dedicated, passionate parents, each eager and willing to do their part. Are you?

-Sarah Copeland, Good Food Ambassador

We did it!!!

On Saturday, the 10th of October, we unveiled yet another garden in New York City!  Our first rooftop garden is located at the Harlem Children's Zone on 125th St.

Sarah and I were there early with our friends from Share Our Strength, Teich Garden Systems, and Wholefoods.  As we were setting up for the kids, we all realized how fortunate we are to be part of such an inspiring and exciting initiative.  There is nothing like hanging out on a roof in Manhattan at 9am on a Saturday putting together veggie platters and compost bins!

While the Food & Wine Festival was happening downtown we were playing with worms and eating raw beets with children.  Too much fun!

More to come, so stay in touch!

Kendra

There’s a buzz in the air in downtown New York today, and I think it comes from all the green things growing in our Good Food Garden in the Meatpacking district as a part of the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival.

Today, the festival gets underway in full swing as Food Network, Share Our Strength and the City of New York unveils Downtown Manhattan’s first Good Food Garden. The dandelion greens, cabbage and kale are all standing at attention on 9th avenue and 14th street, waiting to be admired by passers by. But despite its four-day stint as an exhibition garden, the real goal of these green goodies, like that all Good Food Gardens, is to bring nutritous, locally grown food to produce-poor neigborhoods in an effort to fight malnutrition. We’d like to help take this idea nation wide, but we’re starting right here in our own neighborhood in Chelsea. This garden will be donated to the Fulton House community projects up the street on 9th avenue after the event wraps. But for today, and through Sunday, it’s waiting for you to come take a peek, or a smell, or maybe if you’re really kind and say pretty please, take a taste. 

Thanks for all your support!

-Sarah Copeland, Good Food Ambassador