Bronx

In the Bronx, unemployment rates are high, graduation rates are low, and rates of asthma and diabetes are above the national average. The largest food distribution center in the U.S. is located in the South Bronx, but residents lack easy access to fresh, affordable food and must search corner stores, liquor stores, and bodegas for daily fare. An estimated 15,000 trucks drive to and from the food distribution center each day, which means that residents also face higher levels of environmental toxins than other boroughs.

Since our first project in the Bronx in 2012, In Good Company has contributed over 7,000 volunteer hours to 11 community partners working to increase access to healthy local food and strengthen community. Volunteers have dug and hauled out thousands of pounds of bricks, rocks, old carpets, and debris to renovate six community gardens. We’ve built almost 200 raised beds, a greenhouse, a hoop house, multiple rainwater catchment systems, a rainwater garden, and a raccoon-proof chicken palace. Neighbors can gather now in newly renovated community gardens to visit while they nurture their tomatoes, papalo, and green peppers, or celebrate special events.

Over the course of IGC’s eight projects, we also renovated a new art studio space where THE POINT Community Development Corporation can promote creativity and youth leadership among student artists. We extended the studio to include a multipurpose space, and also transformed a shipping container into an art gallery. We’ve loved working alongside extraordinary gardeners, chefs, bread bakers, beekeepers, entrepreneurs, graffiti artists, environmental justice advocates, boat makers, DJs, and food justice activists.

We’ve seen firsthand the genius, creativity, perseverance, fun, and pride in community that defines this part of New York. And we’ve also seen how gardens grow more than food—they help grow local leaders, community, and friendships to last a lifetime.

1 football field’s worth of garden space

1 raccoon-proof chicken palace

1 shipping container turned art gallery

Impact/Community Partners

“In Good Company was committed to just really making sure that what was happening was what the community wanted. They weren’t there to just take some pictures, do this garden renovation by themselves. It wasn’t about the image of their companies. It was deeper than that. It was really wanting to make connections with the surrounding community–meeting people, learning from people, working alongside people–to build something together that would benefit the people in the neighborhood who use that site.”

Ursula, Bronx Green-Up

“Sometimes volunteers are very well meaning. Some of them turn it into a social event. They’ll work really hard for, like, 40 minutes and then they’ll lean on the shovel and ask, Where’s the water? And that’s how it is and I’m used to that. But the crew from In Good Company is like work people on steroids. They’re just out of the ballpark. They just came in like a very gentle but beautiful bulldozer.”

Marty, Neighborhood Advisory Committee

Impact/In Good Company Volunteers

“This experience was profoundly positive. I felt so much love. I have been telling people it's like being the old cartoon version of the Grinch who stole Christmas where his heart grows three sizes.”

Curtis, Klean Kanteen

“I knew we’d be working building the raised garden beds. What I didn’t expect was all the opportunity and time we spent learning about the community, meeting the residents, and learning and understanding what a rich culture is there in the Bronx. It inspired me and opened my eyes to a lot of things that are going on around us that we don’t always see in our own everyday lives.”

Jerry, QBP

“It's opened up my eyes and brought me out of my shell. I started to notice things like community gardens in my city that I have never noticed before and driven by hundreds of times. I'm currently in the process of trying to apply for a raised bed in my city.”

Omar, States Logistics

“Prior to this experience, I didn't think I was capable of impacting much. That any monetary donation I made was too small, and that there was no way any volunteer work I did could possibly make a lasting impact. Because of IGC, I learned that a community garden not only means better nutrition, but a place of safety, an outlet for creativity, and a community. Community resources like gardens and facilities like THE POINT provide these things that actually change lives.”

Melody, Annie’s Homegrown