Queens, NY (July 30, 2025) — Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) is proud to announce it has received a $100,000 grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, led by philanthropist and New York Mets Owner Alex Cohen, in support of its Far Rockaway Farm Hub—New York City’s first youth-led hydroponic farming hub dedicated to expanding access to fresh, healthy food in underserved communities.
The grant will directly support TFFJ’s network of four in-school hydroponic farms serving eight co-located public schools in Far Rockaway, where more than 3,800 students each year engage in programming that teaches them to grow, harvest, and distribute up to 27,000 pounds of fresh produce for school cafeterias, campus families, and community-based organizations serving an estimated 12,000 local residents.
Students participating in TFFJ programs gain hands-on experience in STEM, nutrition, and sustainability while leading efforts to build a healthier and more robust food system for their neighborhoods.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Amazin’ Mets Foundation for investing in the leadership and health of Far Rockaway youth,” said Katherine Soll, Co-Founder and CEO Emeritus of Teens for Food Justice. “This generous grant helps us deepen our impact and grow a sustainable, student-powered food system.”
The grant will support critical and ongoing needs across the Far Rockaway Farm Hub, including a key regional staff position, hydroponic materials, cooking and nutrition lesson supplies, and food distribution resources such as grocery bags and protective gear.
Teens for Food Justice is expanding its reach in Far Rockaway and continuing to build a future where every young person has the opportunity to grow–in leadership, knowledge, and agency.
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About Teens for Food Justice
Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) is building a food-secure future through school-based hydroponic farming, training students to grow produce for their food-insecure communities while equipping them with tools to advocate for food systems change. For more information, visit www.teensforfoodjustice.org
