local teen voices

Three Farm-to-Table Restaurants in New York City That Go Beyond the Status Quo

by Erica Bender

Farm-to-table is a reasonably common concept that has gained popularity in recent years. It is praised for being a local, healthy and conscious way to eat, since the food is grown or raised on small farms and ranches. In addition, this method of eating creates a smaller carbon footprint, as the food requires less transportation, not to mention that the food served is fresher overall. Finding sustainable, eco-friendly places to eat might seem overwhelming in New York City, but we were impressed by these three small restaurants that go a step beyond the farm-to-table ideology.

OLMSTED, located in Prospect Heights, is owned by chef Greg Baxtrom. According to Cassandra Chamoun, vice president at Mona Creative, “Baxtrom offers a seasonal, vegetable-forward menu highlighting produce from the lush backyard garden, as well as local farmers.” Customers can find both produce and herbs in the garden at Olmsted, which is open for customers to sit in for a drink or bite to eat. Sustainability is at the heart of the food and drink menus. Baxtrom works with Olmsted’s head bartender, Andrew Zerrip, to create seasonal and locally derived cocktails using leftover food from the kitchen. Olmsted is unique in allowing Baxtrom to produce delicious food while limiting food waste and locally sourcing ingredients, which is an enormous accomplishment. For more information, visit Olmstednyc.com.

BLOSSOM is a vegan restaurant group with two locations: the Upper West Side and Greenwich Village. Since 2005, Blossom has dedicated itself to creating animal-caring, health-conscious cuisine for food lovers everywhere— not just vegans. The fresh and organic ingredients that go into every dish are sourced from local farms and small distribution companies. There are no animal products served at Blossom, but that does not make the menu less enticing. From its nachos to its curried stuffed sweet potato to its chocolate ganache, Blossom expands the horizons of what’s possible without animal products. For more information, visit Blossomnyc.com.

LIGHTHOUSE is a homey restaurant located in Brooklyn dedicated to community, honesty and warmth. The sustainable practices at Lighthouse “are dictated by our commitment to care for the environment and people,” says co-owner Naama Tamir. Where the food comes from is especially important, she says, as that they buy mostly local and organic, grass-fed beef and free-range organic poultry and eggs, not to mention buying from seasonal growers in the area. The cleaning supplies are green, organic and sustainable as well. Lighthouse reduces as much waste as possible through “recycling, upcycling and diverting from landfill,” Tamir says. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, comprising 30 percent and 50 percent of the menu, respectively. Lighthouse has something for everyone looking for a delicious sustainable meal. For more information, visit Lighthousebk.com.

The number of farm-to-table restaurants in New York City is increasing, making it easier for food lovers to find locally sourced dishes in order to reduce their carbon footprint while eating better. Olmsted, Blossom and Lighthouse go beyond the “farm-totable” norm and have created an atmosphere and business that doesn’t revolve around food, but sustainable food that is delicious and ecologically friendly.

Erica Bender is a 17-year-old and part of our Teen Voices writers. She is currently finishing high school in Connecticut. She plans to study biology on a dual-degree track at Fordham University. She enjoys inspiring others to care about the environment through writing and advocacy and wants to ensure that wildlife and wild places are preserved for generations to come.

Green in the City

COMMUNITY GARDENS OFFER RESPITE, FOOD AND A FUTURE

by Nick Cinque

With its skyscrapers, sidewalks, cars and densely populated residential buildings, New York City doesn’t seem like a place that would have gardens—or any agricultural activities, for that matter. Lucky for us, there are gardens in New York. Here are five, to name a few.

1. The West Side Community Garden

was established in 1976, between West 89th and 90th streets. Before becoming a garden, the location was home to a mansion that was originally owned by Charles Athrop and then changed ownership numerous times. Eventually it became a junkyard full of stripped and stolen cars—at which point the local community had had enough of the eyesore and joined together to make a community garden. Today it is a 16,000-square-foot garden that’s about two-thirds flowers and one-third vegetables—not only providing aesthetic beauty but also feeding the community. Location: 123 W. 89th St, New York, NY. For more information, visit WestsideCommunityGarden.org

Green City Force

2. Astor Apiaries originally started off as a small hobby for a beekeeper in Queens. Today it has grown to a much larger business, with more than 50 hives across New York. The apiaries sell honey, live bees and more items made from bee products. Their website also offers many recipes that incorporate honey. Location: The Compost Collective, Kessel Street and Yellowstone Boulevard, Queens. For more information, visit AstorApiaries.com

3. The Liz Christy Community Garden, founded in 1973, is the oldest community garden in New York City. Originally a large Dutch farm established in the 17th century, it fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned and torn down. Then local resident Liz Christy and a group of gardeners known as the Green Guerillas stepped in. They saw the plot of land as an ideal spot to build a community garden. The Green Guerillas applied to the city for official use of the land. Their request was granted and the land was repurposed and became a garden. It started off with 60 garden beds, then trees and flowers were added. Today the garden has grown even more, with a pond and grape arbor to name just a few amenities, providing a green escape in the city. Location: Bowery and Houston Streets, New York, NY. For more information, visit LizChristyGarden.us

4. Randall’s Island Urban Farm, officially called the Randall’s Island Park Alliance’s Urban Farm, is a sustainable garden that’s 40,000 square feet, or around .92 acres. It serves as an outdoor classroom as well, teaching kids and families about self-sufficiency, rainwater collection, composting, crop rotation and more gardening concepts. The farm is quite large, with 100 raised beds, two greenhouses, and four rice paddies, as well as fruit bushes and trees and a chicken pasture. It’s great place to visit any day in the summer, when it’s open to the public. Location: Wards Meadow Loop, New York, NY. For more information, visit RandallsIsland.org

5. Green City Force’s mission is to make a green city rooted in environmental, economic and social justice. It seeks to help and educate people from lower-income families, an important force for sustainable cities. The Green City Force AmeriCorps program helps young adults (18- to 24-year-olds) from the New York City Housing Authority develop a passion for the environment and their community through work in urban farming, environmental stewardship, green infrastructure and resident education. These AmeriCorps members go on to graduate and find jobs or go off to college. Office location: 630 Flushing Ave., 8th Fl. Ste. 817, Brooklyn, NY. For more information, visit GreenCityForce.org.

Nicholas Cinque one of Teen Voices writers and is a gardener, beekeeper and fisherman. He enjoys working in his garden, hiking, fishing and boating. He writes to inspire youth to go outside more often and enjoy nature.