Oko Urban Farms Inc

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** OKO URBAN FARMS INC (OKO FARMS) WILL IMPLEMENT THE OKO FARMS COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECT TO IMPROVE LOW-INCOME BROOKLYN RESIDENTS' ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD THROUGH REDUCTION OF FOOD WASTE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM'S WORKFORCE. TO MEET THIS GOAL, OKO FARMS AND ITS PARTNERS WILL ACHIEVE FIVE OBJECTIVES DURING EACH YEAR OF THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL RUN FOR THREE YEARS:1) PROVIDE 3,200 HOURS OF PAID AGRICULTURAL AND CULINARY TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE TO 4 YOUNG ADULTS; 2) REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF PRODUCE THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE COMPOSTED BY AT LEAST 50%; 3) PRODUCE AT LEAST 5,100 UNITS OF VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS; 4) CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST 13,150 LBS. OF FOOD TO THE COMMUNITY FOOD SUPPLY; AND 5) HOLD WEEKLY FARM STANDS OR MARKETS BETWEEN JULY-NOVEMBER AT EACH OF FIVE PARTNERING COMMUNITY AGENCIES' SITES IN THE TARGET AREAS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SECURING REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER SPACE, PROVIDING PAID AGRICULTURAL AND CULINARY TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE TO YOUNG ADULTS, CREATING VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS, AND DISTRIBUTING PRODUCE AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS VIA METHODS DIRECTLY SERVING LOW-INCOME BROOKLYN RESIDENTS. KEY PARTNERS INCLUDE ONE LOVE COMMUNITY FRIDGE, BROOKLYN PACKERS, AND DEPT OF CULTURE. THIS PROJECT ALIGNS WITH CFP PROGRAM GOALS TO MEET THE FOOD NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS THROUGH FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND IMPROVINGACCESS TO FOOD AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE, INCREASE THE SELF-RELIANCE OF COMMUNITIES IN PROVIDING FOR THE FOOD NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES, AND PROMOTE COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSES TO LOCAL FOOD ACCESS, FARM, AND NUTRITION ISSUES.