Bed-Stuy Food Pantry Needs Help Building A Shed On Its New Farm

BROOKLYN, NY — The Campaign Against Hunger's newest farm is hoping for a $2,000 boost before it reopens this spring on the Crown Heights and Brownsville border, according to a new fundraiser.

The Bed-Stuy-based food pantry has started a new GoFundMe to help build a shed on its Eastern Parkway farm, which opened last year as part of the organization's efforts to bring nutritious food to underserved areas.

Started in January, the fundraiser would pay for a 3-foot by 5-foot by 8-foot tool shed to hold supplies and machinery, and improve the safety and functionality of the farm, according to the GoFundMe. It had raised around $170 of its $2,000 goal as of Wednesday.

The Eastern Parkway farm is one of five urban farm spaces run by TCAH, who help supply their pantries with the farm hauls. In 2021, the farms produced 18,000 pounds of produce and 250 dozen eggs, according to TCAH.

"The produce harvested from TCAH’s farms improves the quality of food available to the communities they serve," the organization wrote. "Fruits and vegetables grown on our farms are distributed through our Super Pantry, sold to local restaurants and juice bars, Co-ops, and to residents at heavily discounted prices. Any unused or spoiled produce is used to create sustainable soil-enriching compost."

The farms are also used as live-learning labs for schools, workforce programs or internships.

The Eastern Parkway farm in particular was opened on a lot that stood empty for 30 years.

Find out more about the GoFundMe here.