We wanted to take a minute to share about the six host sites for this year’s CSA, and how they fit in to Rock Steady’s unique business model and vision. We hope you’ll check them out, get involved and support their work if you’re able!
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center is a global leader in LGBTQAI+ health care, and has been a huge support and collaborator since the very early days of Rock Steady. Not only do they host one of our CSA pick-ups, we also partner with them through our Food Access Fund to distribute free produce to Callen-Lorde patients who are food insecure, many of whom are living with HIV/Aids and other chronic illnesses. We also accept SNAP/EBT payments at this site, which is something we hope to expand to other neighborhoods soon. They’ve been on the frontlines of the pandemic, providing care to those most vulnerable and at risk (read more about their incredible work in this NYT feature). Despite these unimaginable challenges, this Spring they remained committed to distributing Rock Steady veggies to their community, knowing that food access is more urgent than ever. Learn more about them here.
Brooklyn Community Pride Center is a new partnership for us this season, which we’re really excited about. Like so many community spaces, they have been working hard to bring their services online and meet the needs of the folks they serve, while navigating funding cuts and new challenges of this time. As queer farmers, it’s meaningful for us to be expand our partnerships with other organizations run by and serving our LGBTQAI+ community. Special thanks to Jere, who has been staffing our CSA pick up, despite the Center being closed to the public early season. We’re excited to hear that they have just re-opened for services by appointment! Check them out here.
JCC Clinton Hill isn’t yet approved to distribute CSA shares this season due to covid, we’ve worked with them for the past few years and they’re doing great work for children and families in their neighborhood.
The Grey Dog team have been great pals to our farm. Not only are they a CSA host site in the West Village, but they are also one of our wholesale clients, sourcing our veggies for all of their restaurant locations. Last season, a bunch of their team made the trek up here a couple times to help out on the farm — they even brought delicious lunch for us all to enjoy together. During covid, they’ve been doing everything they can to support their staff and communities. And they’re now re-open for curbside pick up, delivery and some outdoor dining, woot!
Starr Bar is more than just a bar; pre-pandemic, they hosted all kinds of community events, music, political discussions, etc — and also work closely with The Mayday Space, organizing and amplifying movements for social justice. If you live near them (or pick up your CSA here), we highly encourage you to order a cocktail to-go and get some delicious vegan BBQ, too. This has been a brutal time for restaurants and bars, to say the least; if you can support while enjoying some delicious drinks, please do! Details here.
Last season was our first with Woodbine and the Ridgewood Farmshare, and it has been so great to partner with this phenomenal community of folks! They really got the word out about the CSA this Spring, so much so that we had to cap it at 130 members (our biggest site by far), with a long waiting list. Outside of the CSA, Woodbine is an experimental hub, hosting workshops, lectures, discussions, and serving as a meeting and organizing space. In response to the pandemic, they have been doing tons of mutual aid work and running a food pantry out of their space as well. Connect with them here and here.
Our CSA just wouldn’t be possible without these folks!
We’re grateful to partner with each of them to get our veggies to our community members in the city.
In addition to each of these organizations, there is an even bigger web of community partnerships that make up the Rock Steady ecosystem. We’ll share more about them in our next post!
