PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Christine Torrison, Masters Student at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
2:02:41
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112 sec
Christine Torrison, a master's student at the Tisch Food Center, testifies in support of the bill to convert unused industrial spaces into urban agriculture sites in New York City. She argues that this initiative would enhance food sovereignty, address food insecurity, and bring environmental, social, and economic benefits to marginalized communities.
- Highlights the current state of urban agriculture in NYC, with over 27 commercial farms and 600 community gardens, but emphasizes the need for expansion to serve the city's 9 million residents.
- Discusses the multifaceted benefits of urban agriculture, including improved food access, job creation, and environmental advantages such as reducing the urban heat island effect and supporting climate resilience.
- Mentions that the Tisch Food Center and its coalition partners are prepared to support the implementation of the bill with their expertise in urban agriculture.
Christine Torrison
2:02:41
Thank you, Yiping.
2:02:42
Hello.
2:02:43
I'm Christine Torrison, master student at the Tisch Food Center and NYC resident here in District 1.
2:02:50
Supporting this bill, which proposes the conversion of unused industrial spaces into urban agriculture sites, is a crucial step toward advancing equity in food access and community resilience across New York City.
2:03:03
Our city already has a growing network of urban agriculture sites.
2:03:06
According to 2022 data from the Cornell Cooperative Extension, the city is home to over 27 commercial farms and more than 600 community and public gardens.
2:03:17
This is an outstanding achievement, but not nearly enough to support NYC's close to 9,000,000 residents.
2:03:24
Expanding this network through the conversion of underutilized industrial spaces into urban farms would enhance food sovereignty in neighborhoods across the city directly supporting marginalized communities with limited access to affordable fresh produce.
2:03:39
The Tisch Food Center together with our coalition partners who will who you will hear from today are poised with the expertise and experience in urban agriculture to support the implementation of this bill.
2:03:51
Urban agriculture addresses food insecurity by providing communities with greater control over their food sources particularly in areas that lack access to fresh and affordable produce.
2:04:04
Our experience working with New Yorkers in underserved communities has shown us that urban agriculture is not only about food access, It also brings tangible environmental, social, and economic benefits.
2:04:16
For example, green spaces created through urban farming help reduce the urban heat island effect, improve local economies by creating jobs, and support climate resilience through carbon sequestration.
2:04:29
My colleague Natalie will now speak to how this bill can advance community resilience.
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Testimony by Yibing Zhou, Doctoral Student at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
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Testimony by Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters, Postdoctoral Senior Research Associate at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
