Rock Steady Farm

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. However, stark disparities persist by race and ethnicity, and communities of color experience disproportionately high rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease. The communities most affected by these disparities often have the best solutions to improving food equity. However, systemic barriers often exist, and historically, organizations led by people of color have not had equal access to or benefited from traditional philanthropy funds and resources. In 2024, NYHealth issued an inaugural Request for Proposals (RFP), “Healthy Food, Healthy Lives: Supporting a More Equitable Food System,” to advance racial health equity in the food system. NYHealth awarded Rock Steady Farm (RSF) a grant to participate in this initiative. 

Under this grant, RSF will assist queer, trans, and BIPOC (QTBIPOC)-led farms to procure fresh produce and products throughout New York City and the Hudson Valley. New farmers often lack the infrastructure to pursue purchasing contracts from large public institutions or wholesale orders. To address this challenge, RSF will leverage its logistical and transportation infrastructure; high demand for its produce in the New York City area; and community-based relationships to support QTBIPOC-led farms. It will also coordinate with food hub cooperative Brooklyn Packers and the Northeast Farmers of Color Network, a network of queer, trans, and BIPOC farmers and stakeholders, to provide support to other farms interested in reaching the New York City market with their products. RSF will also supplement its weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with produce and products from small farms, and it will strengthen its partnerships with project collaborators to coordinate in-person and virtual convenings with key farmers, distribution partners, and service providers.  

See a full list of grantees working to advance racial health equity in the food system.