NYC’s Urban Agriculture Office Sows Seeds Of Change With ‘School Food Eats’

The New York City Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture (MOUA) today launched the city’s first-ever farmer/producer business procurement training.

A joint initiative of MOUA, New York City Public Schools’ Office of Food and Nutrition Services (NYCPS OFNS), and Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York, NYC School Food Enhancing Accessibility, Training, & Support (NYC School Food EATS) seeks to give farmers an easier pathway to apply for NYCPS OFNS contracts and sell their products to New York City public schools, and to increase healthy local food access for New Yorkers. It was made possible through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farm-to-School Competitive Grants Program. 

“… increasing opportunities for small farmers and producers …”

“Since its inception, MOUA has been committed to increasing opportunities for small farmers and producers,” said Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture Executive Director Qiana Mickie. “New York’s food, land, and health are all connected, and by offering training and targeted technical assistance, we can advance equity and wellness together.” 

The training was designed for regional, small-to-mid-scale farm and food hub businesses that are often left out of city vendor contract opportunities. By providing them with critical knowledge and awareness of best practices, MOUA is helping to remove barriers to the school food procurement process and NYC Small Business Services Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification. MOUA and NYCPS OFNS are committed to local and equitable procurement and providing economic development opportunities and resources to historically disadvantaged state and city food and agriculture businesses. The training’s inaugural cohort is made up of nine farm and food hub businesses, which will foster stronger urban-rural linkages in the state’s regional food systems by supporting small farmer/producer businesses. 

“Advancing a just and equitable transition means creating new pathways for food and agriculture businesses,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “A regional focus for food production allows the city to reduce carbon emissions in agriculture while connecting eligible M/WBE food/farm small businesses with city procurement opportunities.” 

“As Chancellor, one of my top priorities is student well-being, and healthy and nourishing meals are a large part of that work,” said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “We know students need nutritious meals in order to do their best in school. By creating more equitable pathways for local farmers and producers to partner with our school food systems, we’re able to work towards increasing our variety of local foods and increase the volume of local food procured by socially disadvantaged farmers. Thank you to our government and local partners who are helping to make this kind of program possible.” 

“… things just work better when we work together …”

“I always say things just work better when we work together, and this initiative could not be a better example of that,” said New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “New York State is home to some of the highest quality growers and producers in the country, and we have such a great opportunity to connect our farmers to our schools and ensure our students are eating healthy, local foods – that’s what the Farm-to-School Program is all about. This initiative will help more farmers get their food directly into schools, and I’m grateful for the tireless efforts of our partners at MOUA, NYCPS OFNS, CCE Harvest New York, and NYC School Food EATS in increasing local food access to more New Yorkers.” 

“Access to technical assistance and resource sharing is essential for promoting equitable economic development among New York’s producers,” said SJ Whelan, NYC Farm to Institution Coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York. “We are excited to partner with MOUA and NYC Public Schools to provide this vital training, empowering our farmers and strengthening our local food system.” 

Photo credit: NYC.gov

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