DoomsdaysCW<p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/NewYork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>NewYork</span></a> - Services for the UnderServed using <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/UrbanGardens" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>UrbanGardens</span></a> to target food insecurity</p><p>The initiative has been so successful that Services for the UnderServed plans to include gardens in all future developments.</p><p>Rob Flaks, Jul 17, 2025</p><p>"In a city where food and housing insecurity often go hand in hand, Services for the UnderServed (S:US) is planting solutions for both at the same time.<br> <br>"At a supportive housing complex in <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/BedStuy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>BedStuy</span></a>, residents are tending to one of the first urban gardens launched by S:US back in 2011. The garden features edible plants, flowers, and even beehives producing fresh honey, - all maintained by the tenants themselves. </p><p>" 'To be able to garden, get your hands dirty—it’s an amazing resource I hope all of our community has access to,' said Mike Hollis, vice president of <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FoodInsecurity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>FoodInsecurity</span></a> at S:US.<br> <br>"The initiative has been so successful that S:US plans to include gardens in all future developments. 'When you have that foundation of <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/HousingSecurity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>HousingSecurity</span></a> and <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FoodSecurity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>FoodSecurity</span></a>, it gives people the stability to take the next steps in wellness, employment and personal growth,' Hollis said.<br> <br>"The Bed-Stuy building, which offers stabilized rent for individuals with disabilities and serious health conditions, is home to 54 residents. For tenant Yussuf Salam, the garden has been life-changing. 'I got into the garden, I went to school—you learn things about yourself,' he said. </p><p>"But the gardens are just one of over 30 such properties in the borough, with a total of 1,484 housing units. But their latest project is taking root in <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/EastNewYork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>EastNewYork</span></a>, where the organization is developing <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Alafia" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Alafia</span></a>, one of its largest projects to date. </p><p>"Alafia is a multiphased, mixed-use development on a 28.5-acre site in the <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SpringCreek" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>SpringCreek</span></a> area. Once complete, it will include 2,400 units of <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/AffordableHousing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>AffordableHousing</span></a> and <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SupportiveHousing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>SupportiveHousing</span></a>, a health clinic, community and commercial spaces, manufacturing facilities and over 11 acres of publicly <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/accessible" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>accessible</span></a> open space.</p><p>"Alafia is currently partially opened with 452 affordable housing units for tenants—many of whom are formerly homeless or living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.</p><p>"Those behind the project say projects like these are the size and scope they need to tackle our boroughs housing crisis.<br> <br>" 'That is such an opportunity for the organization and the borough to expand the work, giving people dignified housing and spaces to grow their own food,' Hollis said. </p><p>"Just like in Bed-Stuy, any surplus produce from Alafia’s gardens will be donated to local <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CommunityFridges" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CommunityFridges</span></a>, ensuring that the benefits extend beyond the housing sites themselves."</p><p><a href="https://brooklyn.news12.com/services-for-the-underserved-using-urban-gardens-to-target-food-insecurity" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">brooklyn.news12.com/services-f</span><span class="invisible">or-the-underserved-using-urban-gardens-to-target-food-insecurity</span></a></p><p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SolarPunkSunday" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>SolarPunkSunday</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/UrbanGardens" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>UrbanGardens</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/UrbanPlanning" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>UrbanPlanning</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/GreenSpace" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>GreenSpace</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/GrowYourOwn" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>GrowYourOwn</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/GreenTime" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>GreenTime</span></a></p>