GrowNYC June Volunteer Newsletter

 

June 2021

Need to attend a Volunteer Orientation? Register for our June - Virtual Volunteer Orientation Tuesday, June 9th 5pm-6pm Interested in volunteering with GrowNYC? Join our online orientation where our Volunteer Program Manager will provide information about GrowNYC, local agriculture and food access, safety protocols, and current and upcoming volunteer opportunities. Orientation is open to all, however, GrowNYC volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. The volunteer orientation is required to participate in our volunteer opportunities. (sign up)

Volunteer of the Month! This month we will highlight our amazing Greenmarket volunteer, Kate. GrowNYC: How long have you been volunteering with us? Kate: I have been volunteering with GrowNYC since October 2020. GrowNYC: Tell us about yourself, what interests you and how do you spend your time? Kate: During the week, I work as a Grants & Finance Specialist at World Resources Institute, an environmental & developmental nonprofit organization. In my free time, other than volunteering & shopping at the farmers market, I enjoy reading, running, doing yoga, and walking in the park with friends. GrowNYC: Why did you decide to volunteer with GrowNYC especially now? Kate: I decided to volunteer with GrowNYC as a way to get more involved with my community. I was drawn to GrowNYC by my interests in environmentalism, and I love that the Greenmarkets provide equitable fresh food access. I was pushed to volunteer especially during the pandemic, which made this need for food access even more urgent, and provided me with more time to help out! GrowNYC: What has been your favorite moment/memory volunteering with GrowNYC so far? Kate: My favorite memory from volunteering has been making friends with GrowNYC staff, volunteers, and farmers. They made my experience fun & joyful, and I will always hold them and the Greenmarkets in a special place in my heart!

Highlighted Volunteer Opportunities! Fluent in Cantonese!? Volunteer at the Bensonhurst Greenmarket - Sundays (sign up)

Looking to work with finished Compost? Volunteer with GrowNYC's Compost Program! In preparation for the Compost Giveback Event in mid-June, we are seeking one volunteer who is willing to come down to the Demonstration Garden at McCarren Park! (sign up)

Greenmarket Volunteer Opportunities Every week we are working to keep our Greenmarkets open with proper safety procedures to continue to provide food access sites for New Yorkers. You can help our staff inform and direct the public, from a safe distance, to practice awareness and social distancing. Volunteers will be provided with single-use gloves, hand sanitizer, wipes, and masks if needed, but we request that you bring your own mask. These events are outdoors, rain, or shine. Please dress for the weather. Sign up for one or more opportunities at the following Greenmarkets (GM): Brooklyn: Brooklyn Borough Hall GM - Saturdays (sign up) Fort Greene GM - Saturdays (sign up) Grand Army Plaza GM - Saturdays (sign up) McCarren Park GM - Saturdays (sign up) 7th Ave Sunset Park GM - Saturdays (sign up) Manhattan:  Inwood GM - Saturdays (sign up) Tucker Sq GM - Saturdays (sign up) Tompkins Sq GM - Sundays (sign up) Columbia GM - Thu & Sun (sign up) 82nd St GM - Saturdays (sign up) Abingdon Sq GM - Saturdays (sign up) Union Sq GM - Saturdays (sign up) 79th Street GM - Sundays (sign up)                Queens: Sunnyside GM - Saturdays (sign up)

Compost Volunteer Opportunities! Food scrap collection allows New Yorkers to take part in waste reduction and turn their waste into compost to grow food and care for New York City parks and trees. Please visit our website for the dates and times of collections for sites that have already reopened as well as those that are soon to do so. Volunteers will be provided with single-use gloves, hand sanitizer, wipes, and masks if needed, but we request that you bring your own mask. Volunteer Opportunities Include Manhattan: 97th Street GM - Fridays (sign up) William B. Washington Memorial Garden - Fridays (Sign up) Inwood GM - Saturdays (sign up) 79th Street GM - Sundays (sign up)  Brooklyn: McCarren Park GM - Saturdays (sign up) Fort Greene GM - Saturdays (sign up) Cortelyou (Flatbush) GM - Sundays (sign up) Carroll Gardens GM - Sundays (sign up) Queens Jackson Heights GM - Sundays (sign up)

Be a Fresh Food Box Site Assistant  GrowNYC's Fresh Food Box Program is a food access initiative that allows communities to purchase fresh, healthy, locally grown produce in pre-packed boxes containing the best of what’s seasonally available from regional farms. Volunteers are needed to help our Fresh Food Box sites run efficiently as essential food access for New Yorkers. Volunteers will work with Fresh Food Box staff to implement proper safety protocols to ensure that the public, staff, and volunteers stay safe, and they will also pack Fresh Food Boxes. Volunteers will also help pack Fresh Food Boxes in paper grocery bags. Volunteers will be provided with single-use gloves, hand sanitizer, wipes, and masks if needed, but we request that you bring your own mask! Bronx: Montefiore (Longwood) - Fridays (sign up) Brooklyn: Bed Stuy FFB - Saturdays (sign up) Manhattan: Lenox Hill FFB - Tuesdays (sign up) Uptown Grand Central FFB- Wednesdays (sign up) East Harlem FFB - Thursdays (sign up)