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Students from District 18 ask Council to expand "Seeds in the Middle" farmers stands to bring fresh food to communities
Summary
A group of student government leaders from District 18 and other Brooklyn schools testified in favor of Seeds in the Middle, a student‑led market program that brings fresh produce to schoolyards and neighborhoods; students asked for funding to expand farm stands, buy equipment, and extend program reach to corner stores and senior customers.
A group of middle and high school students told the City Council's Finance and Education hearing that a small student‑run initiative has made measurable differences in their neighborhoods and asked for city funding to expand it.
What students said: Students from IS 68, PS/IS 235 and other District 18 schools described operating farm stands, selling fresh fruit, squeezed juice and produce, and teaching peers and elders about nutrition. Students credited the program with creating community interaction, improving access to healthy food, and giving youth entrepreneurship and public‑speaking experience. Alexander Rosario, Amalia, Nature Watkins, and others from the Seeds in the Middle team testified that joint funding would allow larger markets, buying equipment like juicers and signage and scaling to corner stores and senior centers.
Context and DOE comment: Council members praised the testimony and noted it aligns with larger DOE and city nutrition and climate programs. The hearing record shows students ran weekly stands at school and library sites and said the model supports school leadership, CBO partnerships, and food‑access goals.
Why it matters: Students emphasized connection between diet and chronic disease in their neighborhoods and argued school‑based markets can complement food access and nutrition education programs.
Next steps: The students and their adult partners sought modest city grants to expand markets and the systems to let students run them safely. Councilmembers asked DOE and City Hall whether such programs could be scaled with city support.
