New City Farm
Youth Employment
New City Farm grows delicious food, but its purpose is more than just feeding people. For almost a decade, New City Neighbors (the Farm’s parent organization) has been working hard in the Northeast side of Grand Rapids to positively impact our community. The farm’s main objective is to provide job and life skills to high school youth in our neighborhood. Each summer we employ and train 10-12 high school students. Student employees learn all aspects of the hard work of organic vegetable growing. Student employees also participate in curriculum around job skills, food justice, anti-racism and food & faith.
The Produce
We grow all our food 100% naturally! This means we grow our produce in nutrient dense compost enriched soil, supplemented with certified organic fertilizers. Our produce feeds 250 families through our CSA program, and we are one of the only farms in West Michigan that accepts EBT payment for our farm shares, and with Double Up Food Bucks, EBT customers get 50% off our retail price and pay weekly. In addition, in partnership with Access of West Michigan 25% of our produce goes to Good Food Partners like SECOM, UCOM, Community Food Club, Methodist Community House, and the Other Way.
Where We Grow
We grow on over 4 acres of land at 3 locations. Our original 3 acre location is on the property of 4th Reformed Church at 1226 Union Ave NE, GR 49505. We are currently developing a second one acre urban location we call the “Farmhouse” at 1115 Leonard St NE, GR 49503. And we have partnered with Grand Valley University’s sustainability department to grow on one acre of land at their Allendale campus, including a 30X168ft. high tunnel.