Harlem Grown

See below for a message from our Executive Director, Nicole Survis Engel regarding her transition and an opportunity for an experienced candidate! Thank you Nicole Survis Engel for 5 years of service!

"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits" On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor Dr. King’s call for dignity, equality, and opportunity for all—and the responsibility we each share in turning that vision into action. At Harlem Grown, we live this commitment every day by feeding Harlem, growing minds, and strengthening community through urban farming and, hands-on education for young people and families across Harlem. This MLK Day, we’re proud to welcome volunteers from TD, whose service exemplifies how corporate partners can honor Dr. King’s legacy through meaningful, hands-on action. Through our Corporate Farmily Program, companies engage directly with our mission—supporting food access, education, and community-building while investing in their teams and the neighborhoods they serve. We invite your company to join us. Whether through volunteering, a corporate partnership, or program support, there are many ways to make a lasting impact. You can also check whether your employer offers matching gifts—a simple way to double your support for Harlem’s youth. Reach out to learn more about how your organization can get involved, volunteer with us, or become part of our growing community of partners committed to equity and opportunity. Together, we can carry Dr. King’s legacy forward—through service, partnership, and action. #MLKDay #MartinLutherKingJr #ServiceInAction #CommunityImpact #HarlemGrown #CorporateVolunteering #CorporateFarmily #GrowWithUs 

If you need something worth reading today, I HIGHLY recommend this Humans of New York feature on Tony Hillery and the origin story of Harlem Grown. Link in the comments 👇 It’s not just a story about a garden, it’s a story about a community fighting the odds, and what happens when someone decides to show up with consistency and purpose. Tony lays it out plainly: in this neighborhood there are dozens of fast food restaurants and pharmacies, and not a single supermarket. That's the environment kids are growing up in. And it's exactly why Harlem Grown exists. What started as one abandoned lot turned into fourteen farms and, with the help of partners, Harlem Grown was able to give away 160,000 pounds of food last year. But the part that stays with you is what happens beyond the food: kids becoming the first in their families to attend four year colleges, a young woman from the program now pursuing her PhD, and real “what if we weren’t here” stakes that are hard to ignore. As a board member, I get to see how real that impact is, and I’m proud to be connected to this work. Give it a few minutes of your time. It’s one of those stories that leaves you with a simple question: once you know, what do you do? #HarlemGrown #HumansOfNewYork #FoodJustice #YouthDevelopment #CommunityImpact #NonprofitLeadership #GivingBack #Harlem

Our 2025 End-of-Year Campaign was our most successful yet—raising over $300,000 to support the community we grow through fresh food access, green spaces, youth empowerment, and hands-on farm and food education. 2025 was also a year of unprecedented reach. We served 30,000+ residents and distributed 160,000+ pounds of fresh produce across Harlem. Behind every number is a family supported, a meal shared, and a meaningful step toward equity in access to healthy food and quality childcare. However, the need continues to grow. Poverty, barriers to education, and food insecurity are intensifying across New York City and nationwide. This year, federal cuts to food assistance will result in more than 2 million Americans—including 363,000 children—losing SNAP benefits, with even more families impacted by stricter requirements. In Harlem, where 36.2% of residents experience food insecurity and 63% of families report reducing or eliminating fresh produce, the effects are immediate. Attendance at our farmstands continues to rise—underscoring how essential our food access, education, and youth programs are. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we made a transformational impact in 2025—and we’re carrying that momentum into 2026. Together, we’re not just growing food—we’re growing hope, opportunity, and healthier communities. Stay connected by signing up for our Donor Newsletter, launching next month, and consider giving today to help us start 2026 strong! https://lnkd.in/eJ_SUe5X  #HarlemGrown #Harlem #YearEndGiving #CommunityImpact #YouthEmpowerment #UrbanFarming #FoodAccess #NonprofitLeadership #GrowingTogether 

As 2025 ticks down to 2026, and we're reflecting on the year that was, can we also look to a new year of promise, and possibilities ? If you haven't made your end of year donations as yet, please consider Harlem Grown for your giving? If you ever wonder where your hard earned money goes with non profits, all you have to do is come to 116 W 134th st, any Monday to Saturday during business hours and you'll see exactly where it goes, and thats right back into the community. You don't have to be rich to support us, as every dollar counts. As I like to say, "No one can do everything, but EVERYONE can do something" Here's a link: https://lnkd.in/e4h2TwZ4 Happy & HEALTHY Kwanzaa, and Happy & HEALTHY New Year #GrowingTogether #BeTheChange

Harlem Grown is facing a critical moment. Thousands of families in New York City are set to lose access to SNAP benefits in two days, and by 2026, 363,000 children are expected to feel the impact.     SNAP cuts affect families, local businesses, and the entire supply chain. Every $1 lost through SNAP reduces up to $2 in economic activity, putting $9 billion in grocery spending at risk nationwide. This loss will make groceries even more expensive for everyone.     At Harlem Grown, we show up. Every week, our farmstands provide free, fresh produce to the Harlem families who rely on us. To date, we have served 14,000+ families and distributed 150,000+ pounds of food. And as SNAP cuts take effect, demand is only growing.    Our farmstands operate three days a week, year-round, with an additional biweekly farmstand in our afterschool program. In response to these cuts, we are:     Staying consistent and providing farmstands multiple times per week.  Increasing our food supply in anticipation of growing need.  Expanding outreach so families know when and where to access fresh produce in Harlem.     Together, we will continue to build community spaces that provide families with fresh food and support their wellbeing during this critical time of uncertainty.     Take action today. Donate to Harlem Grown and share these resources with those who need them most. https://lnkd.in/e2ZF2yqp   #HarlemGrown #Harlem #GrowingTogether #FoodJustice #CommunitySupport #UrbanFarming #YouthDevelopment #SocialImpact 

This summer, Harlem Grown had the honor of being lifted up on a national stage. Emmy-nominated actor Zach Cherry chose Harlem Grown as his nonprofit of choice on Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, joined by his Severance co-star Tramell Tillman and host Jimmy Kimmel. Together, they raised $16,000 to support our youth and families. But for us, the impact was never just about the dollars. Zach’s choice gave Harlem Grown visibility on both ABC and Hulu, allowing us to share our mission with a national audience in a unique and unexpected way. It also deepened our relationship with Zach—who first learned about Harlem Grown through his wife’s experience—and later visited our 134th Street Farm to meet our campers in person. We knew this was an opportunity to do more than celebrate a TV appearance. Harlem Grown hosted a viewing party to bring our community together, built a themed social media and email campaign inspired by the show’s trivia format, and used the buzz to educate new audiences about what we do. All of these efforts worked toward a larger goal: raising awareness during a critical season for our work. At the heart of all this is the children we serve. As one camper, Kristian (12), shared this summer: “I was shy and nervous. But when I came here, everybody welcomed me with open arms. I felt like I belonged. I consider this place my second family.” Kristian’s words capture what Harlem Grown is truly about: building community, where our young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to grow. We’re grateful to Zach, Tramell, and Jimmy for helping amplify our mission—and to our community for turning a moment in the spotlight into momentum for lasting change. #HarlemGrown #Harlem #GrowingTogether #CSR #NonprofitImpact #Leadership #SocialImpact #YouthDevelopment #CommunityEngagement