A Day of Community, Growth, and Wellness
S:US President & CEO Perry Perlmutter kicks off the 14th Harvest Celebration.
Click here to view all event photos.
On September 20, S:US hosted its 14th annual Harvest Celebration at Melrose North, one of our supportive housing residences in the Morrisania neighborhood of the South Bronx. The event celebrated the success of S:US’ Community Food Security programs, spotlighting the efforts across our 75 urban farms located throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. These spaces produce more than 10,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, providing access to nutritious, locally grown food for underserved communities. Click here to read the press release.
Attendees had the opportunity to meet the urban farmers, participate in wellness activities, learn about nutrition, and enjoy a delicious farm-to-table lunch prepared by the S:US team. Products from our Urban Farms, such as local honey, aromatherapy and essential oils, shirts, rain jackets, hats, and tote bags were also available for purchase. All the proceeds will support the continuation and expansion of our programs.
Left: Guests enjoy lunch prepared by urban farmers and staff. Right: S:US Director of Strategic Initiatives Maura Harris and urban farmers selling jars of honey cultivated in our gardens.
Antonio, an urban farmer at Melrose North, graciously offered personal garden tours while sharing his deep knowledge of sustainable agriculture, pointing out different crops and explaining his daily duties to ensure high quality fruits and vegetables. As guests explored the space, they learned about the pivotal role these farms play in enhancing the lives of the people we serve.
S:US VP of Day Services Jajaida Gonzalez with urban farmer and Melrose North resident Antonio.
Perry Perlmutter, S:US President and CEO, opened the event emphasizing the vision behind S:US’ food security efforts by stating, “As most of you know, food security is on the rise everywhere, especially in New York City. At S:US our goal is to eradicate homelessness and keep New Yorkers healthy. We believe that food is a human right for everyone. All New Yorkers should have access to fresh, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.”
S:US President & CEO Perry Perlmutter.
Mike Hollis, S:US VP of Community Food Security, followed with a heartfelt reflection on the impact of the Urban Farms program by remarking, “I’m very proud to watch this program grow. When I first started with S:US, we had four gardens in Brooklyn and nine folks participating. This year, we hit 90 different sites that are participating over the course of the season. And we have over 600 folks that are actively engaged across the city, making us one of the largest urban agriculture programs, not just in New York City, but in the country. These spaces and the innovative vocational, recreational, and therapeutic programming that they offer are made possible by the efforts of an amazing team.”
S:US VP of Community Food Security Mike Hollis.
We were also honored to host State Senator Luis Sepúlveda, who represents the 32nd District. “Make no mistake, this is one of the poorest communities, probably in the entire country. Food insecurity here [in the Bronx] is probably twice as high as everywhere else. And you’re talking about one of the richest cities in the world. It makes absolutely no sense to me that any child, any family member, any mother, any grandmother should ever go to bed hungry.” The Senator continued, “See, I’m a vegan, so I know about produce… It’s important that people who live in this development, who live in this community, learn about nutrition and how important this is. And I’m truly appreciative of the work that S:US does.”
NYS Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda.
The Harvest Celebration commemorates our community-driven solutions to food insecurity and how urban agriculture can help shape a healthier, more sustainable future for New York City’s most vulnerable residents. These solutions are highlighted in our 2023 white paper, “Uniting on Food Justice: An Innovative Approach from a Health and Human Service Organization,” which investigates how food insecurity disproportionately affects people of color, people experiencing behavioral health challenges, and people with disabilities. S:US will continue to address these disparities by giving residents access to fresh, nutritious food and the skills and knowledge to contribute to the broader effort for food-secure communities.
Community Food Security and Urban Farms teams.
We’re grateful to Mike Hollis, Wilfredo Illa, Community Food Security and Urban Farms teams, and staff for another successful event!