Page 29 - The Indian EYE 050126

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 01, 2026 | The Indian Eye 29

NYC Health Department Opens Community

Garden in Brownsville to Support Healthy

Food Access and Community Wellness

OUR BUREAU

NEW YORK, NY
n celebration of Earth Day, the
NYC Health Department has
Iannounced the opening of its first
community garden at the Brownsville
Neighborhood Health Action Center
in Brooklyn. Designed to create op-
portunities for residents to meet and
build relationships with their neigh-
bors, the new garden will bring to-
gether residents, community partners,
and local schools to support wellness,
learning, and nutrition access. Locat-
ed behind the community health cen-
ter, the garden is planned to be used
to grow fruits and vegetables includ-
ing watermelon, cantaloupe, peppers,
corn, and okra, in addition to herbs
such as mint, sage, and parsley. Ev-
erything grown in the garden will be
available to the community free of
charge, along with access to educa-
tional programming and community
events. The community garden will nity gardens give people better access purchases of eligible fruits, vegetables, $30 per month with this discount.
be accessible to the public Monday to healthy food and a chance to con- and beans by New Yorkers using Sup- Health Bucks are $2 coupons
through Friday between 9 a.m. and nect with their neighbors, which in plemental Nutrition Assistance Pro- that can be used to purchase fresh
4 p.m. with gardening classes starting turn improves community well-being. gram (SNAP) benefits at participating fruits and vegetables at all NYC
in May. By opening its first community gar- supermarkets. For every dollar spent farmers markets and farm stands.
“In the heart of Brownsville, den, the NYC Health Department using SNAP benefits on eligible fruits, For every $2 spent in SNAP benefits
we’re planting more than seeds: advances its commitment to creating vegetables, and beans, program par- at farmers markets and farm stands,
we’re cultivating health, connection, spaces that foster social connection, ticipants get a matching dollar (up to shoppers can get $2 in Health Bucks,
and hope for our community,” said environmental awareness, and com- $10 per day) that can be used for the up to $10 per day. Health Bucks are
NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Al- munity-driven wellness as a means to next purchase of eligible foods. These available year-round at NYC farm-
ister Martin. “Our community gar- improve public health. The garden matching dollars are added to a Get ers markets that accept EBT. There
den is a vital step toward improving will serve as a setting for ongoing the Good Stuff card that is scanned at are more than 100 farmers markets
public health and empowering resi- programming, including gardening the register before payment. and farm stands across the five bor-
dents to make healthier choices, by workshops, youth engagement ac- The Groceries to Go program oughs every summer and fall. For
increasing access to fresh fruits and tivities, and hands-on learning op- provides eligible New Yorkers with days and hours of operation of loca-
vegetables. Healthy eating is a pow- portunities that connect residents to monthly credits to purchase grocer- tions open year-round, visit the NYC
erful tool in the fight against chronic nature and to one another. ies for delivery or pickup. To be eli- Health Map. To find a farmers mar-
diseases like diabetes and heart dis- Programming connected to the gible for the program New Yorkers ket or farm stand near you, text “So
ease. We are actively nurturing the garden includes partnerships with in- must be a member of NYC Health + Good” (or “Muy Rico” for Spanish)
health of our city to ensure everyone stitutions supporting educational ex- Hospital’s NYC Care program, have to 55676.
has the opportunity to thrive.” periences that introduce participants hypertension or diabetes, and be ex- The Stellar Farmers Markets
The new community garden to gardening practices, environmen- periencing food insecurity. Credits program provides free bilingual nu-
enhances outdoor space behind the tal stewardship, and cohort-based can be used to purchase SNAP-eli- trition education workshops and
Brownsville Health Action Center learning opportunities. gible foods and beverages through cooking demonstrations at select
that has historically been used to host The opening of the new Browns- an online platform that links to hun- farmers markets throughout NYC
events that, in the past, have attract- ville community garden builds on the dreds of grocery stores across NYC. from August to November. The pro-
ed over 1,000 attendees. The NYC NYC Health Department’s nutrition The credits can also be used to pay gram builds participants’ knowledge
Health Department plans to contin- education programs and initiatives for service fees, tips, and delivery. and skills about how and why to pre-
ue to use this space for events in the that address inequities in healthy Groceries to Go participants receive pare healthy meals using fresh, sea-
future, including those supported by food access. a 50% discount on purchases of fresh sonal produce. Workshops are open
the new garden. The Get the Good Stuff program fruits and vegetables using their to the public and are provided in
Studies have found that commu- offers a dollar-for-dollar match on credits. Participants can save up to multiple languages.

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