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YONKERS, N.Y. Groundwork Hudson Valley, a Yonkers non-profit organization dedicated to increasing healthy food awareness and sustainable energy, will receive $190,000 in federal funding to support local access to healthy, affordable food.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is running for re-election this November, visited Yonkers Monday morning to announce the support. Gillibrand was joined by other Westchester leaders and candidates such as County Board Legislator Chair Ken Jenkins, Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick at Groundwork's Science Barge to celebrate the U.S. Department of Agriculture's investment.
"I think it's going to make a big difference," said Gillibrand (D-NY), who is the first New York Senator to serve on the Agriculture Committee in almost 40 years. "This is an important, long-term investment into our local community here in Yonkers."
The funding will go toward Groundwork's public-private partnership, "Get Fresh Yonkers," which will increase access to healthy and affordable food for Yonkers residents. Groundwork Hudson Valley Executive Director Rick Magder said the funding is significant in revitalizing healthier eating in the community.
"A lot of people are not even aware of what's healthy. A lot of low-income families don't have access to healthy food," Magder said. "This funding will increase the access for everyone in the community and provide education and exposure."
The non-profit organization will also install a new training program for students to learn business management and employment skills in the agricultural field, which Gillibrand said parallels both her and President Barack Obama's vision for job creation.
"This takes on some of the challenges that we're going to have in the election," she said. "As we begin to develop ideas and technologies here, we can develop them all over the state."
The Science Barge was acquired by Groundwork in 2008 and, powered entirely by solar panels, grows fresh produce using sustainable energy. Programs such as "The Green Team" are already in place to teach students renewable energy techniques.
Lesnick said the funding and awareness for sustainable energy and nutrition could not be possible without Gillibrand's leadership.
"It's really wonderful to have a senator who realizes that all farms are not in rural areas they're in urban areas, too," Lesnick said. "We can finally start to be known as an environmental oasis in an urban jungle."
Gillibrand was appointed to the Senate in 2009 and will face Wendy Long in the November elections. The New York Senate debate is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
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