Harvest Time in Harlem
Oct. 12, 2007
Getting farm fresh fruits and vegetables to families in urban food deserts is no easy feat. It requires creative thinking, and usually a whole lot of gumption and perseverance from a few dedicated people. Last fall, on book tour with Carlo Petrini, a few of us saw first hand the farmers' markets that the Kaiser Center for Health Research has set up at their clinics, near Portland OR. Innovative, creative solution and great messaging: these foods= good health, so why not buy them while you’re at a HEALTH clinic?
Yesterday marked the official launch of another creative solution many, many miles away from Portland, right here in NYC. Harvest Time in Harlem is one of over 30 Slow Food in Schools programs around the country (and run by National Office staff member Yuri Asano, who is pictured below in the white chef’s jacket). After several years of terrific educational programming, they have–with the sponsorship of Slow Food NYC and the support of Go Green East Harlem– added a once-weekly farmers' market run by students. The market operates from 2-5 pm, the hours that parents pick their children up from school. Once again: innovative and effective, and great learning opportunity. The students are learning about marketing and economics, while also making sure that fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables are making it into their own family kitchens.