Advocate

Environmental Advocacy

Summary: Nourishing NYC’s Environmental Advocacy program is designed to educate and inspire in-need clients to help to bring about positive change and eco-consciousness regarding some of the most pressing environmental issues in the community.

Description: Our Environmental Advocacy involves both promoting seasonal eating and increasing local agricultural education and production. Nourishing NYC’s largest Environmental Advocacy event includes well-qualified, eco-educated volunteers help to conduct an Earth Day Celebration on an annual basis featuring on-site recycling demonstrations, edible art, free fresh produce, energy efficient give-outs and healthy food demonstrations. Additional highlights include environment displays and demonstrations, interactive and educational booths by many local environmental non-profit and small business groups, exhibits by local artists, and a Kid’s Zone for youngsters. Grassroots support for these initiatives is important to ensure a higher degree of responsiveness to the current lack of eco-consciousness in Harlem and throughout New York City.

Clients: Low-income residents of Harlem with families and children. Studies show East Harlem as an environmentally beleaguered neighborhood with a pattern of harmful environmental conditions that have been part of East Harlem’s history for decades.

Nourishing USA

Going National, Staying Local
Nourishing USA launched on Sept 17th, 2011. Nourishing USA was created in response to the hundreds of requests that we at Nourishing NYC received in regards to creating similar community food program in various cites throughout America:

“Hello, my name is Kelly and I wanted to do some volunteer work but I do not live in New York. Does your organization have a location in phoenix for me to do volunteer work also?” Kelly P.

“We love Nourishing NYC but we live in Los Angeles. Do you have a program here in C.A.?” -Rolan V.

“I want to help, but cannot find a program like yours anywhere in my community. Do you know of one?” -Melina T.
“This program is amazing; I would love to grow local foods for the hungry here in Scottsdale with the middle school students I teach. How can I do it here?” - Leif M.

By giving volunteer community advocates across the country the necessary tools and motivation to make the growth of local fresh produce free and accessible, we can all combat the growing problem of poverty and obesity. Anyone who wants to help is encouraged to order a Nourishing USA Hunger Advocacy Kit.

In order to help you grow, gather and give in your community, Nourishing USA will include the following items in your Hunger Advocacy Kit:

Grow: Seeds to begin your garden, tips on starting your garden in your location and “Gardening Frequently Asked Questions”
Gather: Tips on recruiting a local Nourishing USA community advocate team as well as letters and lists to use for “grocery store harvests.”
Give: A list of local in-need community food organizations that will gladly accept your grown and gathered food.