RED HOOK, Brooklyn — The Red Hook farm is three acres, tucked in the middle of an industrial corner of red hook on Columbia Street.
The farm is run by a non-profit organization called the Red Hook Initiative. Every week, the group is busy putting fresh food in boxes for families in need. Since COVID-19 began to spread, the group went from feeding 100 families a week, to now almost 500 families a week.
Saara Nafici is the director of the Red Hook Farm. Nafici says Red hook is one of the largest “food desert” communities in New York City, with 6,500 families and not a lot of fresh food options nearby.
“We have community members who used to come and shop at our farm stand. They are now in line for a free box of produce. Everyone is out of work. Everyone is struggling right now,” said Nafici.
The Red Hook Initiative has two farms. The farm on Columbia street is their main hub, producing thousands of pounds of food each week.
There’s also a farm on Walcott street, in the heart of the Red Hook Houses. It’s one of the first farms ever built on public housing property. If you need food, want to volunteer, or make a donation, visit their website.
