Gardens of Eden

This is what faith in action looks like:

The Hell’s Kitchen Farm projected evolved out of the Chelsea-West Side Neighborhood Network of emergency food programs. Two member congregations with food pantries formed a collaborative. This natural partnership came about out of the desires of MCCNY Sylvia Rivera Food Pantry to include urban agriculture in its food sourcing and Metro Baptist Church’s vision of a green roof and sustainability. As discussion continued it became clear that the expert advice of Clinton Housing Development Company’s horticulturist was needed. The collaboration grew and conversations developed into envisioning a rooftop farm at Metro Baptist Church as a site of education and a sort of urban agriculture hub for the community. As designs developed and interest grew within the community throughout 2010, funding for the project became a reality in 2011 as the United Way of New York recognized our project as part of their Urban Farming Seed Grant program.

The project was a collaboration between two faith communities who were struggling with how to improve food security for  impoverished  residents. The partnership has helped created an urban farm that feeds others and serves as resource for others in the community. From the Huffington Post:

The vision for The Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project, named for the ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ neighborhood in which the church is located, is to create a hub of urban agriculture that grows vegetables and contributes to greater food security in the neighborhood, while providing a platform for education on nutrition and environmental sustainability. 

Now in its second year, the rooftop farm has become an integral part of the church's identity. “I think of it as public witness,” explains Metro Baptist’s current pastor, Rev. Alan Sherouse, "The farm project has given people another point of entry to our church, community ministry and our understanding of the Gospel.”

 This project provides a clear example of what is possible, even within a short period of time, to improve food security for those with too little. There is an obvious gospel parallel. The story of Jesus feeding the multitudes is found in all four gospels. Although the details vary somewhat, the idea is the same. A very large crowd had gathered to hear Jesus. At the end of the day, there was no place for this crowd could go for food as they made their way back to their homes. So Jesus took what little food was available and turned it into a sumptuous feast. Everyone had more than enough to eat, with leftovers to boot.