GrowNYC: Feed It Forward — Planetary Self

Feed it Forward is a movement to create awareness and fundraising opportunities for GrowNYC—the single largest entity impacting the green-ness and sustainability of NYC and the wellness of New Yorkers. GrowNYC makes New York New York. The beauty of GrowNYC is that it exists across all segments of society; bringing the same high quality produce and farm products to both those dining at Michelin star restaurants and to those making the most of their SNAP Benefits.

Every single New Yorker can be a part of GrowNYC. Without our farmers markets, recycling programs, school and community gardens, New York would be a very different city. GrowNYC does more for the health, wellness and beauty of New York and New Yorkers than any other entity—and has been doing so without fail for the past fifty years. And yet, GrowNYC is not widely known.

For every New Yorker to have a sense of stewardship for GrowNYC and by extension, for New York City, we suggest establishing a series of structured dinners. As a guest at a Feed it Forward dinner event, we ask you to either donate to GrowNYC, to share GrowNYC’s work with 10 other New Yorkers, or to agree to host your own Feed it Forward dinner. Each participant will take on the stewardship of their own dinner based on a loose structure. Each dinner will be a creative panoply of food, fun, and farm-to-table gustatory joy; a celebration of making NYC a more green, livable city for all New Yorkers—that can be shared via word of mouth and on social media.

Our end goal? Build a critical mass of support and expanded connection and awareness leading up to our 50th gala event.

Participants

Featured

Marcel Van Ooyen

Marcel Van Ooyen is the President and CEO of GrowNYC and former Legislative Director for the New York City Council.

Mr. Van Ooyen took leadership of GrowNYC in 2006 and under his leadership, GrowNYC has vastly expanded its efforts with new initiatives including: Fresh Food Box - a weekly affordable food mix for low-income residents, teen run farm stands in underserved communities, and NYC’s first all local food hub: Greenmarket Co. GrowNYC’s Food Stamp in the Farmers’ Market initiative is considered a National model, with $1,000,000 in SNAP sales in 2013. Marcel has also spearheaded the development of new programs in response to needs in our city, including Grow to Learn NYC: Citywide School Gardens Initiative, a public public-private partnership with the Mayor’s Office created to inspire, promote and facilitate the creation of sustainable school gardens in every New York City public school.

Marcel earned his degree at the University of California Irvine and has his JD from Seattle University School of Law. He is the former Legislative Director for the New York City Council, where he wrote and ensured the adoption of more than 30 environmental laws.

GrowNYC

GrowNYC helps New Yorkers by providing essential services and taking action to make NYC a truly livable city, one where every person can thrive.

GrowNYC was originally created in 1970 as the Council on the Environment of New York City (CENYC). Born out of the spirit of the first Earth Day, CENYC was initially a policy-based organization, writing comprehensive reports about quality of life issues like air quality, traffic, and noise. Our city has changed a lot since then and so have we. As the largest and most established environmental organization in NYC, we are proud to have played a pivotal role in helping New York City transform over the past five decades. Today 3 million New Yorkers each year participate in our programs.

We envision a New York in which every New Yorker can flourish. Every garden. Every school. Every street. Every neighborhood. Every borough.

Everard Findlay

Everard Findlay blends branding and social innovation to empower CEOs, heads of state, and thought leaders to invest in a future that benefits citizens, the environment, and society as a whole while building profitability and growth.

Findlay has served on the board of GrowNYC, the Council for the Environment of New York City since 2009 and is currently Communications Chair. He is a founding trustee of The Museum of the Courageous, NeueHouse, tenured board member of Soho House, UNDP Turning Tables, Dartmouth College’s Institute for Cross-engagement, The New York Times’ Friends of TimesTalks Committee and The National Center for Children in Poverty.

Learn More

Visit grownyc.org