Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ), a nonprofit working to combat food insecurity through youth-led urban farming, celebrated the launch of a new hydroponic farm at M.S. 053 in Far Rockaway on April 24, expanding its Far Rockaway Farm Hub and giving hundreds of students hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture and STEM education.
The 1,040-square-foot indoor farm is designed to produce more than 5,600 pounds of pesticide-free produce each year. More than 500 students will benefit from the fresh food grown on-site, with over 100 students annually participating directly in hands-on learning about sustainable agriculture, food justice, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production program, the New York City Council, the Queens South Borough Office of NYC Public Schools, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, the new facility was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by elected officials, school leadership, and community partners.
The farm is fully integrated into the school’s curriculum, allowing students to engage in hydroponic farming, nutrition education, sustainability projects, and food advocacy. Produce grown on-site will be incorporated into the school cafeteria’s daily lunches, distributed bi-weekly to campus families, and shared with the wider community through partnerships with the Central Assisted Living Facility and New Horizon Counseling Center.
“This farm represents everything TFFJ stands for—equipping students with the tools to build a food-secure future for their communities,” said Katherine Soll, CEO and Co-Founder of Teens for Food Justice. “By expanding our presence here, we’re providing healthy food and empowering students at M.S. 053 and across the region to become leaders in creating a healthier, more just food system.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who calls himself a Rockaway kid at heart, said the farm addresses systemic disparities that have long affected the peninsula. He noted that lack of access to fresh food contributed to health and economic hardships, particularly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Principal Wilkins of M.S. 053 praised the program for offering students an opportunity to learn through direct experience, noting that working in the farm environment has boosted students’ confidence, communication skills, and interest in science and sustainability.
The launch marks the third school farm site within the TFFJ Far Rockaway Farm Hub. Two additional farms are planned for the area within the next few years, eventually serving 10 schools and more than 5,000 students. TFFJ currently operates nine high-capacity hydroponic farms across New York City and Denver, producing nearly 59,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, with a goal of surpassing 75,000 pounds by the end of 2025.
Teens for Food Justice was founded to empower youth to combat food insecurity and foster leadership in sustainable food systems. More information is available at teensforfoodjustice.org.
