What they do
GrowNYC is New York City's largest environmental organization, operating farmers markets, community gardens, urban farms, and food waste composting programs since 1970. The organization manages 50+ Greenmarkets, supports over 200 community gardens, runs fresh food distribution to underserved neighborhoods, and operates textile and electronics recycling programs.
Why they matter
GrowNYC demonstrates that urban food systems can be regenerative at city scale. In a city of 8.3 million people, they have created direct farmer-to-consumer connections that support regional agriculture while providing fresh food access in neighborhoods conventional grocery retail ignores. Their model is replicated by urban agriculture organizations worldwide.
How to support
GrowNYC's Greenmarket system generates over $100 million annually for regional farmers, proving that direct-to-consumer urban markets can support rural agricultural economies.
Key project to explore
The organization's food scrap drop-off program diverts thousands of tonnes of organic waste from landfills annually, turning it into compost for community gardens.