Providing Food Security and Access 

Promoting Health and Wellness Through Urban Agriculture

The Newburgh Urban Farm and Food Initiative (NUFFI) is a network of local residents and community organizations focused on providing food access, security, and justice in the City of Newburgh. To achieve this, the network focuses on providing fresh, local produce to the Newburgh community; educating and employing Newburgh residents; and supporting the development of community gardens.  

DEC awarded NUFFI an Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant in 2019 for their Promoting Health and Wellness Through Urban Agriculture in the City of Newburgh project. While the impacts of COVID-19 have postponed some initiatives, NUFFI continues to actively work to achieve their project goals by working with local farms to distribute free seedlings to City residents and increasing the functionality and impact of the Downing Park Urban Farm to serve as a hub for urban farming and ecological restoration. 

Since June 4th, NUFFI has donated 2,500 pounds of produce and plans to continue to do so until the growing season is over come early November. Over 500 pounds of fresh produce alone was donated to eight feeding programs in collaboration with local religious congregations. Additionally, the organization’s lease agreement for Downing Park Urban Farm was recently extended by the Newburgh City Council through 2038.  

If you are interested in learning more about this amazing group, please visit its website. 

Stay Up To Date On The Climate Justice Working Group

In 2019, Governor Cuomo signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) into law. This aggressive, nation-leading clean energy and climate agenda will set New York on the path to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050, transforming our economy, creating new jobs and building more resilient communities.    

As part of this groundbreaking legislation, the Climate Justice Working Group is tasked with establishing criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities for the purposes of co-pollutant reductions, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, regulatory impact statements, and the allocation of investments pursuant to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. 

To stay up to date on the Climate Act and the Climate Justice Working Group, visit climate.ny.gov .