Building Food Justice, Health, and Opportunity Across New York City
Food insecurity touches far too many of our neighbors, and more than half of the people served by Services for the UnderServed experience challenges accessing consistent, nutritious food. Our Community Food Security Program is a comprehensive, community‑based initiative designed to reduce food insecurity while strengthening health, stability, and neighborhood well‑being across New York City.
Food insecurity is deeply connected to poor health outcomes, housing instability, and economic hardship—especially for individuals and families already facing systemic barriers. Our work responds to these interconnected challenges with solutions that are dignified, locally rooted, and sustainable.
A Holistic Approach to Food Justice
Services for the UnderServed operates one of New York City’s largest urban farming and food access networks, ensuring that nutritious food is available consistently and close to home. Our approach is grounded in respect for choice, autonomy, and cultural preferences, and is built on the belief that everyone deserves access to healthy food.
What We Do
Food Access Program
Our Food Access Program expands reliable access to healthy food for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. We prioritize low‑barrier, neighborhood‑based strategies that meet people where they are.
This work includes:
- Stewarding 9 community fridges across Bedford‑Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Bushwick, Ocean Hill, Brownsville, East New York, Bedford Park, South Bronx, and Morris Heights. These fridges provide daily access to free, nutritious food in trusted, highly visible locations—reducing stigma and removing traditional barriers associated with food pantries.
- Maintaining partnerships with local vendors, growers, and food organizations to strengthen local economies, reduce food waste, and ensure a steady supply of fresh, culturally relevant food.
- Fostering dignity and community connection by embedding food access within neighborhoods and aligning efforts with community partners.
Emergency Food Distribution
Weekly emergency food distributions ensure that hundreds of pounds of fresh, local produce reach individuals and families across our programs. Partnerships with organizations like Sharing Excess and GrowNYC help us deliver food totes, fresh vegetables, fruits, and dry goods directly to supportive housing residents.
Urban Farms & Therapeutic Horticulture
Services for the UnderServed operates the region’s largest therapeutic horticulture program, with 98 urban farm and garden sites located on rooftops and in backyards of supportive housing and service programs.
These farms provide:
- Hands‑on vocational training
- Peer education opportunities
- Therapeutic horticulture activities
- Community‑building experiences
In 2025 alone, participants harvested 14,000 lbs. of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey, the equivalent of 11,600 meals, with a market value of approximately $51,000.
Education & Community Engagement
We strengthen food literacy and environmental awareness through:
- Youth summer environmental day camps
- Earth Day festivals across multiple program sites
- Food Security Workshops
- Annual Harvest Celebrations
- Community and corporate volunteer projects
Impact at a Glance
- Over 2 million meals served annually across Services for the UnderServed programs
- 903 participants engaged in urban agriculture and food education programs
- 98 urban farm sites supporting wellness, skill‑building, and community
- 9 community fridges providing daily, stigma‑free access to nutritious food
Join Us in Advancing Food Justice
Food security is a foundation for health, stability, and opportunity. When communities have access to nutritious food, they thrive. You can help expand this work.
Take Action
- Volunteer at an urban farm or community fridge
- Partner with us as a local grower, vendor, or community organization
- Support our food security initiatives through donations or sponsorships
Together, we can build a more equitable, resilient, and nourished New York City.
