The Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (MARP) is excited to announce the Myrtle Eats Fresh Farm to Neighborhood program! Sixteen local stores and restaurants that carry regional products are displaying the above logo, making it easy for customers to know to look for local food and beverage products within these locations and therefore, make informed buying choices that will benefit regional farms and the local economy.

Farm to Neighborhood is one of many Myrtle Eats Fresh Food Access Initiatives aimed to improve community access to healthy, fresh, local foods. The Farm to Neighborhood program goals are to:
1) Increase the amount of farm-fresh local products available in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill 2) Facilitate connections between regional farmers and local businesses 3) Encourage neighborhood consumers to consider local food alternatives and 4) Create a vibrant local and regional food economy.

Chef Billy Ahearn of Cornerstone Restaurant and Lounge at 271 Adelphi Street creates his menu with local, farm fresh products in mind. Participating in the Farm to Neighborhood program has helped him to connect with John Glebocki, farmer and owner of J. Glebocki Farms in Goshen, NY. Chef Billy and his customers were very pleased with the local produce in 2011. He states, “John’s corn, tomatoes, cucumbers and potatoes have been especially outstanding and my customer base has noticed and commented positively”.

Many ask, “Why should I buy local?” Good question! On average, our food today travels 1500 miles from seed to plate. What conventional markets consider “fresh produce” has actually traveled thousands of miles and has been bred to hold up over distance and time. These distances mean a loss of freshness, a loss of control over the way our food is produced and, most importantly, the chance to know our farmers. MARP has chosen to adopt a regional definition of local foods:

Local food is produced by small to mid-sized farmers within a 250-mile radius of New York City.

New York State peak produce season is right around the corner! Check out the NYS local produce availability chart provided by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Pride of New York program here and look for the Farm to Neighborhood logo and/or postcard at the following locations to ensure that you are enjoying delicious, fresh local foods:
Pushkin - 541 Myrtle Avenue
Associated Supermarket – 492 Myrtle Avenue
Carthage 521 – 521 Myrtle Avenue
Pillow Café – 505 Myrtle Avenue
Green in BKLYN – 432 Myrtle Avenue
Red Lantern – 345 Myrtle Avenue
Cake Joy – 364 Myrtle Avenue
Gnarly Vines – 350 Myrtle Avenue
Emerson – 561 Myrtle Avenue
Putnam’s – 419 Myrtle Avenue
Karrot – 431 Myrtle Avenue
Greene-ville Garden – 373 Myrtle Avenue
Fresh Fanatic – 275 Park Avenue
Cornerstone – 271 Adelphi Avenue
iCi – 246 Dekalb Avenue

You can also visit our local Farmer’s Market locations:

The Myrtle Eats Fresh Community-run Farm Stand: Wednesdays, July – October (2012 time and location to be announced)

GrowNYC Greenmarket: Washington Park and DeKalb Ave - Saturdays, year-round 8:00AM- 5:00PM
To learn more or get involved contact Kassy Nystrom, Program Manager at [email protected] or 718-230-1689.

Article was submitted by Kassy Nystrom, Program Manager. Farm to Neighborhood is a program of the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project, under the Myrtle Eats Fresh initiative. This program is supported by the Community Food Projects Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.

The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.

Fort Greene Association House Tour Select
May 5, 2012
11 AM - 5:30 PM
Admission: Limited Advanced Ticket Sales Only

Join your friends, neighbors, family and visitors for an unique and intimate guided Fort Greene House Tour where we will feature four homes where the homeowners / architects will discuss the renovation process for a particular area of the featured homes: parlor floor, kitchen, garden apartment and restoration of a exterior facade of a landmark home. The event kicks off with a buffet brunch at Fort Greene’s oldest business – Two Steps Down.

House Tour Select ticket sales are limited to 100 people with advanced ticket sales only.

Look out for details in the coming days for advance presale ticket specials extended to contributing Fort Greene Association Members and past House Tour attendees.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, please forward inquiries to [email protected]

Conversations with Local Fort Greene Historians
Presenting Sponsor: Jay E. Butler, P.E.Consulting Engineer
Fundraiser to Benefit Good Neighbors
May 21, 2012
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Scopello Ristorante Bar
63 Lafayette Avenue
Admission: Limited Advanced Ticket Sales Only

This is the premiere fundraiser event for admirers of Fort Greene’s history as well as residents and supporters of the FGA. A portion of the proceeds will support the launch of the Fort Greene Association’s Good Neighbors Program*.

Event attendees will enjoy appetizers and open bar (limited to sangria, cabernet, pinot grigio, soft drinks, and tea/coffee) while engaging with Fort Greene historians where they will share interesting Fort Greene stories and factoids. Confirmed participants include:

Chafin Elliott, Volunteer Tour Guide
Big Apple Greeter

Carl Hancock Rux, Author, Musician

Sharon Lehner, Archives Director
Brooklyn Academy of Music

Mauricio Lorence, Tour Guide
Metro Tour Service

Howard Pitsch, Author and FGA Landmarks Committee

Daniella Romano, Vice President, Programs, Research and Archive
Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp

Joan Reutershan, Artist and Tour Guide

Conversations with Local Fort Greene Historians ticket sales are limited to advance ticket sales only. Look out for advance presale ticket specials extended to contributing Fort Greene Association details in the coming days.

*Good Neighbors – patterned from the success of a similar program in Beacon Hill, Boston; plans to establish a program providing a wealth of resources to elderly residents of all income levels to allow them to maintain a good quality of life in their own homes. Good Neighbors will help residents find services ranging from medical care information, help with taxes, home repairs, dog walkers, help with errands, rides to the theater and more.

About our Presenting Sponsor
Jay E. Butler, P.E.Consulting Engineer since 1985, provides consulting engineering services to managing agents, co-operatives, condominiums, and architects. Projects involve existing buildings with exterior (façade repair and restoration, re-roofing and chronic water leak conditions) and structural issues. Additionally, they prepare drawings/documentation for filing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission and The Department of Buildings.

Jay E. Butler, P.E.
Consulting Engineer
134 West 29th Street - Suite 603 New York, NY 10001
 (212) 343-2389

Gift bag sponsorship opportunities are available, please forward inquiries to [email protected]

Become a contributing member of the Fort Greene Association today and take advantage of special discounts and offers.

The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.

The Summer Fort Greene Association Newsletter Issue’s theme will be Fort Greene Summer Staycation - Your Guide on Where to Go and What to do in Fort Greene. If you have an event taking place in Fort Greene June – August 2012, you would like for us to consider including in the guild please send your submission no later than April 30th to http://historicfortgreene.org/submit-an-event/. We are especially looking to include free events taking place at local Fort Greene stores such as food and wine tastings, clothing or nail polish swapping events, poetry readings, book clubs, story time, etc. The cost to have your event included: FREE! Our printed and digital summer issue will be distributed to the concierges at Brooklyn Hotels, Brooklyn Tourism’s Visitor Center at Borough Hall and their tourism kiosk located at Atlantic Avenue’s LIRR Train Station Monday – Friday during afternoon rush hour.

The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.