20237044739547

Oko Urban Farms Inc (Oko Farms) will implement the Oko Farms Community Food Project to improve low-income Brooklyn residents' access to nutritious food through reduction of food waste and development of the local food system's workforce. To meet this goal, Oko Farms and its partners will achieve five objectives during each year of the project, which will run for three years.

1) Provide 3,200 hours of paid agricultural and culinary training and work experience to 4 young adults.
2) Reduce the amount of produce that would otherwise be composted by at least 50%.
3) Produce at least 5,100 units of value-added products.
4) Contribute at least 13,150 lbs. of food to the community food supply.
5) Hold weekly farm stands or markets between July-November at each of five partnering community agencies' sites in the target areas.

Activities include securing refrigerator and freezer space, providing paid agricultural and culinary training and work experience to young adults, creating value-added products, and distributing produce and value-added products via methods directly serving low-income Brooklyn residents. Key partners include One Love Community Fridge, Brooklyn Packers, and Dept of Culture.

This project aligns with CFP program goals to meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution and improving access to food as part of a comprehensive service, increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the communities, and promote comprehensive responses to local food access, farm, and nutrition issues.

OKO Urban Farms

10.225 - Community Food Projects

Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition (IFSN) [USDA - NIFA]

Brooklyn, New York 11206-3301 United States

Single Zip Code

Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (USDA-NIFA-CFP-009321)

COVID-19 $375,000 (100%) percent of this Project Grant was funded by COVID-19 emergency acts including the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.