Crotona Academy

As an extension of the Community Garden Internship, SoBRO intends to promote healthy eating values and expand the program to include a "greenmarket" component for students to distribute the produce at various locations in the community. This year, SoBRO and Crotona Academy will partner with Project EATS, an urban agriculture program that develops neighborhood-based, community-run farms, food, and herbal product enterprises. SoBRO Youth Advocate Lorna Wyco will instruct students using Project EATS lesson plans in conjunction with the Roots of Success Environmental Literacy Curriculum and the Common Core Standard.
We plan to expand our garden program to include greater community engagement by which students will distribute produce and educate individuals and community stakeholders on the importance of these nutritious foods. Potential locations include Betances Community Center, St. Mary's Park Recreation Center, and donating produce to the food pantry at St. Ann's church. In combination with funds from SoBRO's Youth Development Center, the Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant will help jumpstart our plans. We desire support to initiate a greenmarket for the students to distribute produce during the summer months, and we desire support to increase the garden by 2 to 4 new beds.