The People's Money (2022-2023)

What problem would you like to solve?

There is a chronic lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in our city's most vulnerable neighborhoods. Children do not understand where food comes from nor the connection between eating fresh and preventing diseases like diabetes, heart disease, obesity. African-American and Latinx residents have the highest rates of these preventable diseases in the city and live in low-income neighborhoods without access to affordable, healthy, nearby fresh food. They also suffer from premature death because they cannot build their immune systems to fight off disease. Our education system does not adequately teach our students about the importance of good nutrition and healthy living.

Why is it important to solve? Why is it relevant for the community?

The pandemic exposed the vast health disparities in our city. The costs of diabetes in NYC surpassed $23 billion in 2017 (according to the American Diabetes Association) in medical expenses and lack of productivity - and most of those affected are people of color in lowest income neighborhoods. Studies show that healthy students who are fit perform better in school and feel better. Despite all the best efforts of food pantries and organizations giving out food, they are not building capacity in our most food-insecure neighborhoods for sustainable businesses run by local people, especially our youth. School-run farm stands/cafes also engage youth and can reduce gun violence and negative influences. This is relevant because we need to address health, food and education inequity and by teaching local residents, the students and their communities,, how to create their own healthy businesses themselves we give them the capacity to lead healthier lives, be engaged in positive work, be changemakers, and boost achievement.

What idea do you have to address the problem?

18 schools have asked Seeds in the Middle to come and partner with their faculty, students and community to set up farm stands run by students at their schools. They have pledged to NOT sell unhealthy foods as fundraisers and to learn how to raise money through healthy fun food at our cafes. These are only the schools we know. We welcome any school to reach out to us at info@seedsinthemiddle.org to become part of this campaign!

Who would that help?

More than 15,000 students and families and seniors who come to our farm stands in the lowest-income neighborhoods of NYC. The schools who have asked us are from Crown Heights, Flatbush, Brownsville, Williamsburg, East NY Brooklyn.

What NYC borough would benefit from your idea?

Brooklyn