We the undersigned support Seeds in the Middle's application to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and to city, state and federal agencies to get funding for a Mobile Veggie/Fruit Van so they can go to up to 21 sites in New York City's lowest-income, most food-insecure and unhealthiest neighborhoods.

Funding for Seeds in the Middle would also provide a refrigeration hub in BROOKLYN, which would vastly expand access to fresh produce and healthy items. It would also enable Seeds in the Middle to offer FREE healthy cooking classes so children and everyone know how to cook fresh and improve their health and quality of life.

Did you know that New York City's Black and Brown residents suffer from rates of diabetes, heart disease, premature death, infant mortality, maternal death, obesity at 2 to 3 times the rates of neighborhoods in our wealthiest areas like Manhattan's Financial District or Park Slope, Brooklyn? 

Studies show that is largely because they lack chronic affordable, nearby access to fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy eating options. Their neighborhoods are swamped with ultra-processed and fast foods, which create health problems. 

Healthy eating and nutrition is directly linked to improving the  rates of preventable diseases and boosting student academic achievement and mental health, among other benefits.

Seeds in the Middle has been partnering with students, schools, communities and families in Brooklyn's lowest income neighborhoods since its founding in 2010 at PS 91 in Crown Heights under the leadership of Principal Solomon Long. Seeds in the Middle was named by the 4th graders at PS 91 who studied with teacher Ms. Natasha Rodriguez. Mr. Long is now the Chairman of Seeds in the Middle and Ms. Rodriguez is an accomplished teacher at PS 241 in Crown Heights.

Seeds in the Middle is a grass roots organization, which believes healthy eating is a civil right and every community deserves access to a healthy life. We are actively working to achieve that - in partnership with the communities themselves. Seeds in the Middle has partnered with more than 50 schools and impacted tens of thousands of students and families since its founding in 2010.

If Seeds in the Middle gets a Mobile Veggie/Fruit Van, they can set up mobile markets at 21 sites a week - including schools and NYCHA housing projects in Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, east New York, Brownsville, Canarsie, Coney Island, Flatbush, east Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, lower East Side Manhattan, Bronx - everywhere who asks and needs us. Seeds in the Middle can offer EBT/SNAP at every location - providing $2 FREE HEALTH BUCKS for every $2 purchase - meaning people can get up to $10 fresh produce FREE a day if they spend $10 with EBT/SNAP.

Seeds in the Middle accepts Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks - $5 checks given to our high-need seniors and families. Many people who receive in low-income neighborhoods can't spend them because the current NYC farmers markets are too far away for them. Seeds in the Middle will bring the fresh market to their door - so they can use the coupons and get FRESH PRODUCE FOR FREE.

With funding, Seeds in the Middle can also pay for a site to create refrigeration for fresh produce - helping our farmers by providing a place to deliver and hold produce so our upstate farmers don't have to spend money and time to travel back and forth to NYC because there is no storage in Brooklyn. Funding also provides healthy cooking classes and a storefront pop-up market/community space in Crown Heights.

We sign below because our children and families in low-income food deserts need and deserve FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES just as much those of us in more fortunate neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens or Tribeca, NY.

If you want to see the health statistics across New York City, you can see the evidence of the devastating deadly rates of preventable diseases like diabetes in our lowest-income neighborhoods of color and compare them to our wealthier neighborhoods at this NYC government site. 

Please support Seeds in the Middle funding requests. This would directly support food justice. 

If signers would like to support Seeds in the Middle - please just go to this link and give - IF YOU DONATE ON THIS SITE, SEEDS IN THE MIDDLE will not get the funds. ​

Only donate here if you want to give directly to Seeds in the Middle.

Want to learn more about Seeds in the Middle? Go to the linktr.ee/seedsinthemiddle  or follow on Instagram @seedsinthemiddle

You can also give to Seeds in the Middle via 

Venmo: @seedsinthemiddle

Cashapp: $seedsinthemiddle

Zelle: tel: 9176973745

Paypal: seedsinthemiddle@gmail.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.