A Letter from the Executive Director

Dear City Green Community,

It’s spring and we’ve got lots of exciting things happening here at City Green farms and gardens! Luna laid her first egg on the first day of spring, and the daffodils and snowdrops are in bloom. After a restful winter of planning, seeding, and crop planning, our farmers are ready to bring more organically grown, nutritious food to our communities! We’ve been planning garden builds at schools and community partners for the upcoming season. We are opening a new seed lending library because seeds are a love letter to the future! And we are adding more locations where Good Food Buck SNAP incentives can be used to buy fresh, healthy produce in NJ. 

As we plan for the year ahead, we are committed to stand by and live out our values of inclusion and equity in our programs, in our local food system, and in our organization. 

Our organization values guide us as we work in community with all of you. 

City Green values: 

• the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and diversity in traditions, cultures, perspectives, heritages, and life experiences.

• equitable access to local fruits and vegetables, gardens and green spaces

• traditional agricultural practices that are sustainable and regenerative and that value the soil, the environment, and farm workers in support of sustainable local food systems. 

One of the foundations of regenerative agriculture is being resilient in the face of unexpected challenges and disturbances. We plan to carry this philosophy forward through this challenging year. 

We know that many of our neighbors and community members are suffering and facing enormous obstacles such as cuts in federal funding, the dismantling of government departments we rely on, and threats to the stability and security of local families. When navigating uncertainty, one thing we can do is act in the interest of our local communities. Growing food is a joyous act of resistance.

City Green's efforts to grow food at schools, with community partners, and on our own farms celebrates the link between ourselves and the natural world. We invite you to join us in cultivating community and exploring the delights of nature.

Spring is here, and City Green is hosting a full season of educational, recreational, and community-based programming like: Earth Day Festival, Volunteer Kick Off, Plant Sale, Starting Your Garden Workshop, and more. We believe in the ability of gardens and green spaces to act as inspiring and powerful instruments to foster connections to nature and healthy food for everyone.

Happy Spring and Warm Regards,

Jennifer Papa