Build aquaponics center in Brooklyn

Summary

Build an aquaponics system to educate Central Brooklyn residents on the benefits of urban farming, healthy eating and improving healthy food access for residents in the communities where they live.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Since the mid 1960's child obesity rates in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn are up 28 percent. Our project will encourage Bed-Stuy residents to consider where their food comes from and make healthier choices about their food. We will encourage the residents who participate in our program to promote healthier lifestyles amongst their peers and increase their physical activities and reduce the intake of fatty snack foods.

How will this project solve this problem?

The Brooklyn Rescue Mission urban farming training provides mentorship education and nutrition programs to help people make healthy choices about what they eat and combat peer pressure to eat unhealthy snack food and sugary beverages.

Potential Long Term Impact

The project will educate 50 people per year about urban farming, aquaponics and local and regional sources of healthy food allowing them to learn how they can impact their community food environment.

Project Message

Those who have worked on our Bed-Stuy Farm have learned the value of healthy eating. Many of them are eating vegetables for the first time in their lives. I believe if they grow it they will eat it.
- Rev. DeVanie Jackson, Urban Farmer and Project Leader

Resources