PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters, Postdoctoral Senior Research Associate at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
2:04:38
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126 sec
Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters, a postdoctoral senior research associate at the Tisch Food Center, testified on the benefits of urban agriculture and its potential to strengthen community resilience, create jobs, and reduce environmental impact. She emphasized how the proposed bill (Intro 693) could support these goals by converting underutilized industrial spaces into urban farms.
- Highlighted urban farms as reliable local food sources during crises and their role in fostering economic stability
- Discussed the bill's potential to create sustainable employment opportunities, especially for women and minority-owned businesses
- Emphasized the environmental benefits of urban agriculture, including reduced carbon emissions from food transportation
Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters
2:04:38
Good afternoon.
2:04:38
I'm Doctor.
2:04:39
Natalie Graves Peters, also a registered dietitian and currently a postdoctoral senior research associate at the Tisch Food Center.
2:04:47
I also reside in this district, District 1.
2:04:50
As you've heard from my colleagues, urban agriculture provides essential benefits that strengthen community resilience, especially in times of crisis.
2:04:58
These urban farms offer a reliable local food source during distribution to traditional supply chains, such as extreme weather events or public health emergencies.
2:05:08
For example, the Queen's Botanical Garden Urban Farm grows food for donation to local food banks and hosts community workshops on sustainable practices, empowering residents to steward to steward to be stewards of their food systems.
2:05:23
In addition to providing fresh food, urban agriculture fosters local job creation and economic stability.
2:05:30
The bill's focus on converting underutilized industrial spaces for urban farming will open sustainable employment opportunities, including jobs in farming, food storage, and distribution, industries critical to food security.
2:05:46
By supporting urban agriculture in these spaces, the bill protects industrial zones for local industry and food policy, expanding job training opportunities in food related sectors, especially for women and minority owned businesses.
2:06:00
Through our coalition's work with programs like Red Hope Farms, we've seen how urban farms can create pathways for young people to enter the workforce, develop leadership skills, and contribute to their communities.
2:06:13
Urban agriculture also reduces the environmental impact of our city's food supply by localizing food production.
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Currently, much of our food is transported long distances, creating high carbon emissions.
2:06:25
By converting spaces within our communities into green spaces and urban farms, this bill allows us to reduce our reliance on imported produce, cutting down on transportation emissions, and supporting a sustainable local food economy.
2:06:39
I will now look forward to hearing from some of the Food and Health community members.
