Dear Friends of New City Neighbors,

It’s impossible to completely fathom the future. I don’t think anyone in our community expected the plan for 2020 to include words like social-distancing, quarantine, and spending the season of Lent in near total solitude. Yet, here we are. The Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has made itself known world-wide by taking its presence to even our own city, with no certain path to a cure.

Our best response right now is to pray for a cure and follow the quarantine guidelines, giving our leaders in the health industry a fighting chance to combat the virus on behalf of all of us. For New City Neighbors this means two things. First, we’ve made the decision to pause our youth programs, including our youth employment program, until things begin to turn around with the quarantine.

Second, our farm and CSA will continue, as our farm is an essential source of nourishment to many in our community. That being said, we are taking serious precautions. Currently, we don’t have contact with the general public in our work space. If any employee feels sick, they are required to stay home. We encourage washing hands, refraining from physical contact, and virtual meetings were possible. You can read more about our Farm Coronavirus Plan by clicking here.

Several have already bought community shares on our farm over the last few days. We invite you not only to consider buying a share of produce for your family, but to also do so on behalf of those in need. The North End Community Ministry has a pantry open for families in need and could use help in providing good food through its community food pantry. Please consider donating a CSA to the North End Community Ministry by visiting www.newcityfarm.org.

Like most businesses and organizations, we will continue to reevaluate our procedures with CDC guidelines as things progress. We look forward to the time when we can welcome youth back to New City Neighbors and visitors back to our farm. Thank you for your continued support and patronage.

Blessings,

Ricardo Tavárez

Executive Director