By Anthony Payero
(THE BRONX, N.Y.) The Green Bronx Machine, a nonprofit organization with a focus on urban agriculture and education, worked to address food scarcity and create job opportunities for the youth in the Bronx, according to NBC 4 New York.
The organization was formed as an after-school program that provided high school students with an opportunity to have living wage jobs and promote fairness in the Bronx.
“The Green Bronx Machine started with the simple belief that if people weren’t going to invite us at the table or seat us equitably at the table, we were just going to build our own,” said Stephen Ritz, founder of the organization and a Bronx native.
The organization implemented the use of gardening to teach students and motivate them to go to school. Ritz's program led to a rise in school attendance and passing rates on New York state science exams and modified the program into a grassroots movement that focuses on using education to bring equity for marginalized communities.
“We believe that high-performing schools are at the heart of high-performing communities,” said Ritz. “As I like to say, Green Bronx Machine grows vegetables, our vegetables grow students, our students grow schools, and our schools grow happy, healthy, and resilient communities.”
Ritz was awarded the Change Maker Award from the New York City Food Policy Center for the Green Bronx Machine’s response during the pandemic, according to NBC 4. The organization worked with community residents, faith-based organizations and other nonprofit organizations to utilize a variety of initiatives that fixed issues related to food accessibility, hunger and technology access in the Bronx.
“In many ways, COVID presented a challenge of a lifetime, but it showed how quick and nimble and resourceful, dedicated community leaders and members could be,” said Ritz. “I couldn’t be more proud of our response.”
The Green Bronx Machine bought food from farmers and provided it to schools that could help with distribution to locals. According to its website, the organization distributed 100,000 pounds of food from this initiative.
Ritz was able to use his social media platforms to interact with children through virtual learning. He spent time reading stories and setting up Zoom cooking classes. Through the help of his wife, they were also able to help those without internet access by turning the organization's outdoor gardens into community hot spots and providing devices to families in need.
“We accessed hundreds of devices for parents who couldn’t and children who didn’t know where to turn and made sure that every single person in the program and every single child that reached out had access to a device, ” said Ritz.
The organization established a partnership with WNET and New York City Public Schools to assemble “Let’s Learn NYC,” a television series that airs on PBS.
“People are looking for the next Mr. Rodgers, the next Bill Nye, so why not the guy in the cheese hat who loves children and wants everyone to eat vegetables,” said Ritz.
“We encourage students to be healthy because the best way to build immunity is to eat fruits and vegetables.”
While the last day of school is set for Friday across New York City schools, the Green Bronx Machine will remain open for children throughout the summer through camps, additional episodes of “Let’s Learn NYC” and supporting their community garden that provides food for Bronxites in need.
“[This is an] opportunity to celebrate our community and change the narrative of what is possible out of the Bronx,” said Ritz. “Everything we’re doing here is about people power... I believe being hyper-local and hyper-connected is the best kind of success of all.”