About

We’re building healthy, sustainable futures for every child in NYC.

The problem we’re solving

Healthy and sustainable futures are inaccessible to many children, families, and communities in NYC.

Learn more about our problem statement and approach.
Learn more about our impact.

Our mission

To make edible education accessible for every child in NYC.

Our vision

We envision a future where edible education for every child and community in NYC contributes to a healthy and sustainable food system for all.

“Children learn to socialize, share, and eat healthy… it is a great experience for all of them.”

— New York City Public School Educator, P.S. 311, the Bronx

Our roots

Edible Schoolyard NYC’s story was inspired by Alice Waters’ Edible Schoolyard Project in Berkeley, California.

In 2010, Edible Schoolyard NYC became the first ‘Founding Edible Schoolyard’ in the entire Northeast region. We shared Alice Water’s belief that edible education helps kids gain the skills to contribute to a healthy and sustainable food system for us all.

Local and national reports outline the high rates of food insecurity, learning loss, and social and mental health challenges faced by students and communities in NYC today. At ESYNYC, we have created a curriculum to fit the unique needs of NYC’s kids and reflect their communities. Together with public school communities across the city, we are building spaces for kids to grow and flourish.

Announcing our New Executive Director, Kristen Baldwin!

EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD NYC APPOINTS KRISTEN BALDWIN AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF READ AHEAD JOINS EDIBLE EDUCATION ORGANIZATION IN LEADERSHIP TRANSITION [New York, NY] Edible Schoolyard NYC (ESYNYC), an organization with a mission to make edible education—hands-on cooking and gardening experiences—available to every student in New York City, announced the appointment of Kristen Baldwin as Executive Director, effective October 29, 2024.

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City Council Member Althea Stevens Presents $2 Million to ESYNYC Partner Schools for New Cooking and Gardening Space

On September 16, City Council Member Althea Stevens presented a check for $2 million to P.S. 311 Lucero Elementary School and P.S. 294 The Walton Avenue School for a brand new cooking and gardening space! Councilmember Stevens’ dedication to edible education in her district is remarkable - she believes students in her district deserve gardens to learn and grow in. Together, we’re building space for students to thrive!

Baldor Cares Feature – Edible Schoolyard NYC: Getting Kids’ Hands in the Dirt, Vegetables on Their Plates

INSIDE A CLASSROOM in a New York City school, children are about to bite into something new: A veggie-topped homemade pizza, kale salad, just-picked tomatoes, and a stir-fry. There’s not a turned-up nose or skeptical look in the bunch. That’s because these students grew and harvested the vegetables they’re about to eat and prepared the dishes them-selves. Before they dig in, they shout “Thank you, gardeners! Thank you, cooks!” to show their appreciation for each other’s efforts.

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