Christine Quinn
For Christine Quinn, Speaker of New York City Council, joining a CSA was only one way in which she proved her dedication to a more healthy and sustainable food system. As a champion for public health and food justice, she has made healthy, affordable, accessible food a priority throughout the five boroughs, emphasizing this need particularly in low-income NYC neighborhoods. http://www.council.nyc.gov/d3/html/members/home.shtml
Ted Blomgren
When Just Food set out to link local growers with New York City residents, Ted Blomgren helped out every step of the way. He has served as an advisor on our Farmer Advisory Committee for 7 years, a grower, supplying 7 CSAs in NYC, and a supporter who increased fresh food access for all New Yorkers by growing for our Fresh Food For All Program which connects food pantries and soup kitchens with locally grown food.
Ted Blomgren lives and harvests with his family at Windflower Farm in Valley Falls, NY.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1595245-4,00.html
La Familia Verde Garden Coalition
Since 1998, La Familia Verde has been sustaining the environment and culture of the Crotona, East Tremont, and West Farms neighborhoods of the Bronx. The members are gardeners, environmental stewards, educators, and food justice advocates. Working with Just Food, La Familia Verde started their own community-run farmers’ market and cultivated neighborhood-based leadership. Through out-reached they improved the health and well-being of their community as a whole. La Familia Verde can most easily be found at their farmers market on Tuesday mornings throughout the summer calling "Get your freeeeesh vegetables! We grow ’em, You eat 'em!!" http://www.lafamiliaverde.org/
Abu Talib
Urban farmer, City Farms Trainer, farmer’s market organizer, beekeeper, and long-time partner, Abu Talib has been planting the seeds of wellbeing in his community for over 30 years. When asked why, his answer was this: “We are not just raising food, we are raising people. It is not right that a handful of people control the whole food industry, because he who controls your breadbasket controls your destiny. We live in the most fabulous country in the world, with the best land. Why are some of us still hungry?”
Abu Talib lives in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx and grows food at Taqwa Community Farm.