Project EATS

ABOUT PROJECT EATS

Growing Urban Food Networks to Create Livable Futures

Social inequalities lead to health inequalities and ill-being in our communities. They affect our access to fresh food, life expectancy, physical and mental well-being, quality of education, employment opportunities, income and share of public resources. Our vision is a fair society where everyone is able to live healthy lives and thrive, regardless of income.

Project EATS occupies a unique space in the urban agricultural landscape of New York City. Our mission is to create community-based food systems that situate small-plot, high-yield urban farms in low-wealth communities and complements them with programs that support residents to help develop and sustain food systems that can enhance their lives and transform their communities. Since 2009, we have developed and operated 20 farms in low-wealth communities throughout New York City. Currently we operate 5 ground-level and 2 rooftop soil-based farms that range in size from 3,000 square feet to approximately 2 acres.

Our farms and food production enterprise support a holistic programmatic ecosystem that advances our mission by improving access to economic opportunity, community cohesion and support, and wellness.

Our education and training pipeline cultivate a resident workforce capable of taking over the operation of the farms with minimal ongoing support from Project EATS. Our after-school programming and classroom curricula deliver experiential learning projects and hands-on farm training for students at ‘low-resource’ schools with which we partner. Our workforce development training provides experience and skills for youth and adult community residents in farming, farm stand operations and sales, product production and procurement, and nutrition. 

Our Art, Food Life Community Health program collaborates with community-based health providers through PE Farmacies which fill food prescriptions providers write as part of the treatment plans for their patients. Our Farmacies also provide workshops and coaching sessions that support patients’ efforts to achieve their health goals.

We also host community dinners and breakfasts, dialogues, workshops and other community-building work that support the vitalization of low-wealth communities into epicenters for art, food, and culture, experimentation and innovation that lead to more fair and equitable conditions in our communities and society.