resources & links

local and global resources for families and schools:

action for healthy kids
bk farmyards is a new Brooklyn-based farming network providing locally-grown healthy & affordable food to Brooklyn residents and education opportunities for youth and adults interested in food production.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden – this is a sanctuary. Beautiful gardens, a children’s edible garden, programs, education, fun abound. Tuesdays are free to the public. If you are in town, definitely spend time here.
Brooklyn Grange - the largest rooftop farm in NYC! Their vision is to goal is to put more farms on roofs throughout New York and beyond, and grow more food, train and employ more farmers, and improve overall quality of life in the city. We are excited to be spending time with the Grange farmers during our camp this summer.
City Harvest - the world’s first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding the city’s hungry men, women, and children.
CSA’s: community supported agriculture – Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. This site helps you find a CSA near you.
dr greene
Eagle street rooftop farm – a 6000 square foot green roof organic vegetable farm on the shoreline of the East River and with a sweeping view of the Manhattan skyline located atop a warehouse rooftop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. We are excited to be spending time here with our campers this summer.
EPA: US Environmental Protection Agency – EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment.
Farming Concrete is a volunteer, citizen science project to measure how much food is grown in New York City’s community gardens. Follow NYC’s harvest using our interactive mapping tool.
food research and action center
Green Schools Alliance – a movement and resource center to green our schools and our world. Greening our schools is a commitment, not a competition. If there are winners and losers then we’re all losers, and we can’t afford to lose. Our future depends on it.
Imagine Swimming – the best swimming teachers in the city. Their attention to detail and quality is fantastic. They inspire the most timid of new swimmers and help seasoned swimmers excel. They also host birthday parties.
Inside Urban Green/Center for Urban Greenscaping (CuGreen)Learn how to grow your own food in the city! Resources, information, and workshops.
Jamie Oliver’s food revolution – let’s stand and work together to improve school food!
Just food - begun in NYC in 1995 – their mission is to unite local farms and city residents of all economic backgrounds with fresh, seasonal, sustainably grown food.
kids health
kitchen kid - offers teaching material and lessons on nutrition for kids
leaders in plant based education - inquiry-based curriculum that allow you and your students to embark on an exciting adventure — learning science through the study of our fascinating food production system.
Let’s move! – a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.
living my moment - a site created by an entrepreneurial Mom, supporting Mom started businesses.  A great source for all things created by Moms
Lower East Side Ecology Center – provides community-based recycling and composting programs, developing local stewardship of green space, and increasing community awareness, involvement and youth development through environmental education programs. The LES Ecology Center will be teaching our campers all about composting this summer!
lunch lessons – Chef Ann Cooper asks you to join her on a mission to change the way our children are eating
Mast brothers chocolate – of the finest chocolate you’ll find. Cacao beans shipped from sustainable equal exchange farms to Brooklyn in sailboats and made with old world techniques and hand wrapped in beautiful heavy paper. The brothers are hosting our campers for a tour and a tasting this summer, and deliver their chocolate near and far.
Murray’s cheese – delicious, master cheese-makers in the heart of NYC. Conde Nast Traveler named Murray’s Cheese Caves one of the 50 Coolest Places to see in the world, and our Food & Garden campers this summer get to go down under for tasty sample.
NY coalitions for healthy school food - a statewide nonprofit that works to improve the health and well-being of New York’s students by advocating for healthy plant-based foods, including local and organic where possible, farm to school programs, school gardens, the elimination of unhealthy competitive foods in all areas of the school (not just the cafeteria), comprehensive nutrition policy, and education to create food- and health-literate students.
NYC Compost Project – Through this project, passionate people throughout NYC are raising awareness and teaching people how to compost. Ever wanted to be a Master Composter? This is the place to go.
organic schmorganic
prema yoga of carroll gardens
small bites
The Brooklyn Food Coalition - a grassroots organization working together on projects that promote food justice, food security and a sustainable food system in Brooklyn. Organization happens neighborhood by neighborhood.
The Brooklyn Kitchen – You will find things to make your own jams, pickles, every kitchen knick or knack (the useful ones) of the highest quality, and great local prepared foods. It is connected to The Meat Hook – a local humane and fresh butchery. We are commited to local products as well as products of the highest quality.
the Commons Brooklyn – fantastic skill-sharing in the heart of Brooklyn. Classes range from pickle making, herbal tincture making, to slow money meetings and new moon parties. The Commons is Butter Beans’ Food & Garden camp’s home base this July.
the future of children
turn the tide foundation – dedicated to a vision of a future in which obesity is no longer a major cause of chronic disease, no longer epidemic, and no longer a threat to our children.
water filters – we love Doulton.
why did I eat that? - mini-graphic novel and website resource, and solace for people seeking a healthier, loving relationship with food and thus life.
the language and laughter studio – multicultural language and arts center that offers a variety of foreign language immersion programs for children and adults.