Teens for Food Justice Feast 2022 Gala Makes Triumphant In-Person Return
The annual Gala, which raised more than $1M featured a guest appearance
by Mayor Eric Adams and a special performance by The Steve Miller Band
New York, NY (June 9, 2022) — The Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) annual Feast Gala returned on June 7, at Gotham Hall in Manhattan, to support the organization’s ongoing efforts to make fresh food more accessible and improve nutritional health within New York City’s low-income communities through school-based and youth-led solutions.
The Feast Gala raised over $1M and counting, which will aid the organization as it continues to support unique and bold new solutions to food insecurity and inequity.
TFFJ Founder and CEO Katherine Soll said,“Our partners are vital in the continuation of TFFJ’s mission to fight food insecurity in high-need communities by empowering students with the tools and skills they need to develop and maintain hydroponic farms on their campuses and become localized food advocates. Every year, we are humbled by the level of support our sponsors give to TFFJ.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams made an appearance at the Gala and spoke about the importance of healthy eating, how he turned his life around with a plant-based diet after receiving a devastating diabetes diagnosis, and how TFFJ’s hydroponic farming program can be used to solve numerous community-related health and wellness issues, such as violence and behavioral issues.
Adams said, “When you go to the communities where you’re seeing real crises, such as violence and behavioral issues, you look at those communities and they are saturated with fast food, over processed food, and junk food. You can’t have Whole Foods in Park Slope and Junk Food in Brownsville. It’s not acceptable.”
The Gala, hosted by DJ Irie, featured a full concert from the Steve Miller Band, and offered attendees an exclusive culinary experience, celebrating the diverse flavors of New York with Pinch Food Design. Musician Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds was also in attendance.
TFFJ Youth Food Justice Advocate Awards were presented to students from the Urban Assembly Unison Middle School and the Special Music School.
About Teens for Food Justice
Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) operates high-capacity hydroponic farms on six school campuses across four New York City boroughs and Denver, Colorado. TFFJ students use real-world 21st-century science and technology to grow up to 10,000 pounds (per school) of hydroponic produce annually. Through the program, TFFJ’s farmers develop a meaningful solution to food insecurity, transform their relationship with the food they eat, and develop cutting-edge STEM skills needed in a new green sector economy.
