by Marcus Ramos GrowNYC and the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce hosted New York City’s first pop-up garden on July 17 as part of the Flushing Greenmarket. Maureen Regan, founder and president of Green Earth Urban Gardens Inc., developed the pop-up garden to provide New Yorkers with free outdoor horticultural education and live gardening demonstrations.
Photo by Marcus Ramos
The Flushing Greenmarket will run every Wednesday from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. until Nov. 27 at Bowne Playground, Flushing. The Greenmarket features farmers selling fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, eggs, and cider to all who attend. Agricultural experts will provide free education in gardening and urban farming through workshops.
Photo by Marcus Ramos
The pop-up garden attracted over 50 attendees, reflecting strong community interest and participation. Maureen Regan expressed her excitement about the initiative and the positive influence it will have on the area.
“When a community is healthy, the environment is healthy. Nobody else is doing pop-up gardens in NYC, so it’s very important what we’re doing here to teach people about taking care of plants,” Regan said.
Maureen Regan and Senator John Liu, photo by Marcus Ramos
Ezra Pasackow, operations manager with GrowNYC, also highlighted the impact Flushing Greenmarket has on the local community.
“We feel that our GrowNYC green markets throughout the city provide access to New Yorkers to have the freshest produce possible. Our farmers come in from throughout the region to support not only those farmlands and those farmers in their communities but also the communities here in New York who are looking for fresh produce every day. It’s definitely a mainstay for the community. It’s a place where community members will learn about local agriculture and access resources that they couldn’t otherwise.”
All Greenmarket locations accept SNAP/EBT, Summer EBT, Debit/Credit, Healthfirst OTC cards (LIP and CC members only), WIC & Senior FMNP coupons, FreshConnect Checks, and Greenmarket Bucks as part of GrowNYC’s commitment to promoting equitable access to nutritious food. Consumers who buy $2 using SNAP, EBT, or P-EBT get an extra $2 Health Buck, up to $10 each day.
Established in 1970, GrowNYC is a non-profit organization that has played a significant role in the construction and upkeep of more than 160 community gardens around New York City. The partnership with the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce highlights a mutual dedication to encouraging civic involvement and advancing green spaces in cities.
