A Storied Farmers Market Wraps Season

Central Brooklyn is one of three New York City regions with the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

In response, on September 15, "Seeds in the Middle" opened Crown Heights's first-ever farmers market this year, at the corner of Albany and Lefferts Avenues.

For the past 12 weeks, farmers Roy Hildebrant of Iona Hill Farm, New Jersey, and Jamerican farmer Rodrick Brown of Long Island have gifted the community with beautiful bounty. The market has allowed Seeds in the Middle to provide local youth with employment and given all access to another world - farmers - they might otherwise never encounter.

Although never funded with public monies, the Crown Heights Farmers Market joyfully has built a community among all its members in a neighborhood once tragically torn apart during the Crown Heights riots 20 years ago.

It has also spurred an unprecedented children's soccer program and a vibrant all-volunteer, grassroots movement to create healthy options for all families and bring fitness programs and affordable, easy access to nutritious.

What's next for Seeds in the Middle? To get lights on the field to expand sports opportunities and an expanded use of public schools for programming for all children in an underserved neighborhood with limited options for positive, active opportunities.

WHAT: The final day of Seeds in the Middle Crown Heights Farmers Market until spring.

WHEN: Thursday, November 10, 1:30 to dawn

WHERE: Hamilton Metz Park - Lefferts Park, corner of Albany/Lefferts Avenue, Crown Heights, Brooklyn 

WHY GO: PS 221 classes will visit before 3 pm. At 4:30 pm, children - from young to teens who can handle shovels - will create a winter garden with decorative plants, cabbages and flowers donated by Seeds in the Middle's friends at Home Depot and the farmers themselves (who also bring rich soil from the country)

WHO: Children from all communities - plus our farmers Roy Hildebrant and his family and Jamerican Farmer Rodrick Brown. They have brought beautiful gifts of health and joy and laughter to Crown Heights!  

Special thanks to Sen. Eric Adams, Community Board 9 Chair Rabbi Jacob Goldstein, Linda Laviolette of Empire State Development, Gov. Cuomo's office, Bob Lewis and Jacqueline Follain and Jonathan Thomson of the State Ag and Markets, Denise Thomas and Maria Schumberger of the federal government, Eddie Vargas, Nancy Melissas, Alexander Mezzatesta and Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey of the NYC Parks and Recreation Dept., chef Jack Silberstein, mom Natasha (Nandi) Smith, NYPD Community Affairs Officer Vincent Martinos,  former PS 91 Principal Solomon Long and PS 221 Principal Clara Kirkland. And especially our farmers Roy and Rodrick.