Food for the Body and Mind

A cornfield in New York City? Neighborhoods fed by produce grown within the community? It's not only possible - it's happening. And it's helping to transform young lives in one of the poorest areas of the city: Red Hook, Brooklyn.

After Red Hook's only grocery store closed in early 2001, Added Value & Herban Solutions (AVHSI) came to the rescue by establishing the area's first farmer's market - one that today remains the sole source of fresh produce and organic meats and fish for Red Hook residents. AVHSI also turned a deserted playground into a working organic farm to supply the market and local restaurants.

AVHSI employs local disadvantaged youth to work in the farm and market, teaching them the principles of farming, business development and computer skills so that they can participate in the economic revival of Red Hook, all while improving the health of their neighbors.

New Perspective, New Life Skills

Each year, teenagers attend 60 hours of training to gain a detailed understanding of the food system, expand their communication abilities, and acquire the expertise necessary to take food from seed to sale. After training, they participate in ten months of after-school and weekend programs, where they hone the skills necessary to achieve their academic goals and professional dreams.

Program components include an entrepreneurial training effort based on the food system that helps to develop new businesses in the neighborhood; a media literacy and desktop publishing training program; and a leadership program where teens share their experiences to create a more socially and civically engaged community of young people.

Through creativity and volunteer effort, Added Value & Urban Solutions is helping some of New York City's most disadvantaged young people grow into successful adults.

"One of the most important experiences was the moment when I was at market, and I realized that I was really, truly selling food that I had grown. The people who bought that food couldn't find anything as good in this neighborhood, and they were going to take it home and enjoy the fruits of my labor."