Youth-run Farmers' Markets in Roosevelt and North Bellport
Open Every Sunday from 11AM-4PM
United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joins Sustainable Long Island and The Long Island Farm Bureau for announcement of youth-run farmers' markets
Two Youth-Run Farmers' Markets Will Create Seasonal Jobs For Local High School Students While Making More Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Available In Underserved Communities
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop joined Sustainable Long Island and the Long Island Farm Bureau to launch a new seasonal jobs program for local students in Roosevelt and North Bellport. The Community Youth Farmers' Market program has created two youth-run farmers' markets, which provides seasonal jobs for local high school students while making more fresh fruits and vegetables available in underserved communities.
Senator Gillibrand is the first New Yorker to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years, and is helping lead the fight in the Senate to combat child obesity and promote good health.
"Obesity and diabetes rates are reaching crisis proportions in our country and it is time to take aggressive action," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "By improving access to fresh produce to communities across Long Island, we can give people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives, save billions in health care costs, and create good-paying jobs."
"These farmers' markets will provide much-needed summer work for local youth and help underserved communities enjoy the many benefits of fresh produce," said Congressman Tim Bishop. "This program will be a model for improving access to healthy fruits and vegetables throughout Long Island."
The USDA has found that 23.5 million people in America lack access to a supermarket within a mile of their home.
Customers patronizing corner stores often find retail prices as much as 49% higher for a selection of food long on canned goods and short on fresh meat and produce. Many communities on Long Island lack access to healthy and affordable food for a number of reasons, including: limited availability of grocery stores, inaccessibility of existing stores, high cost of healthy food options, neighborhood safety and limited individual resources such as time, income and transportation. Lack of access to healthy food can lead to high rates of hunger or food insecurity, or conversely and more prevalently, high incidence of diet-related diseases including obesity and diabetes.
To begin to address these problems with tangible solutions, Sustainable Long Island has partnered with the Long Island Farm Bureau and local partners to establish this program that will bring fresh, nutritious foods to those communities that are currently underserved by food retailers and markets. The markets will provide jobs to local youth, give community members greater choice of fresh produce and healthy food options, promote nutrition and education, contribute to a sense of place, and boost the local and regional economy. Simultaneously these markets will allow farmers to devote more time to tending their farms rather than traveling back and forth, spending time at the markets, making participating in community farmers markets more appealing and financially sound for farmers.
"Access to health foods that are affordable is essential to ensuring our residents are able to choose a healthy lifestyle," said State Senator Brian X. Foley. "The lack of supermarkets in some areas leads to a lack of healthy, budget-friendly food options. I commend Sustainable Long Island and the Long Island Farm Bureau for taking the initiative to create a program that addresses this concern. But this program will do more than simply feed our residents. It will employ local high school students, teaching them business skills that they will be able to carry with them through life."
"Improving the quality of life for the residents in North Bellport is a top priority of my administration," stated Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko. "Our support of Sustainable Long Island's Farmer's Market will be another positive step toward change by providing healthier food alternatives for families, and jobs for our young people. This program will make a significant impact on a community that has been traditionally under served by large supermarkets and food retailers."
"I regret not being able to attend today's event, but I do want to send the message that I will continue to work with the Greater Bellport community to fully realize their vision of which this Farmers Market is a part," said Brookhaven Councilwoman Connie Kepert. "It has been my great pleasure to work closely with the community every step of way, from the inception of the visioning back in the Spring of 2006 to late last year when the community came to me with a plan for the Farmers Market for which I was able to secure $10,000 for their start up costs. I am always energized by the community's dedication in revitalizing this area and am thrilled about the well deserved attention their efforts are receiving today with Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Bishop, Senator Foley and Supervisor Lesko visiting this market."
The Pilot Project is a youth-supported (and supportive) community farm stand and has two main objectives: 1) establish two weekly markets which make locally grown produce available to currently underserved communities and educates them about the benefits of healthy eating, and 2) establishing young adult entrepreneurial program in which high school students run market stalls under the supervision of a market manager, learning basics of business, customer service, nutrition and local agriculture.
The goals of the pilot project are to:
- Expand the availability of fresh, healthy food options in a underserved Long Island communities
- Provide jobs for local youth and increase economic opportunity both for regional farmers and local young adults
- Improve health and nutrition of community members by providing an opportunity and incentive to purchase fresh, healthy foods
- Educate the community about health, nutrition, agriculture and about the food available in local retail markets (delis, bodegas, supermarkets, etc.)
- Bring diverse people together - Create a space in which community members can gather, socialize, get to know one another - in essence build community capital
- Establish a creative semi-permanent or seasonal re-use of an underutilized property within an underserved community, bringing that space to life
- Teach young adults important business skills, money handling, etc.
"The launch of these two markets brings hope to these communities, along with countless others on Long Island, that fresh, healthy, affordable food alternatives are available," said Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director, Sustainable Long Island. "No more will they have to settle for high fat, sugar filled, greasy snacks and meals; they will now have what every community and every person deserves: an option."
"The best farmland preservation program we know, is for farming to be profitable," stated Bob Nolan. "We welcome marketing opportunities that allow the public to access our produce and products and at the same time allows our economic viability the market project with Sustainable LI is a win win win for all Long Island."
In addition, through these pilot project markets, the Health and Welfare Council and NuHealth will be able provide information on healthy eating, nutrition, supplemental nutrition program information (SNAP and WIC), and other vital resources to underserved communities.
The Roosevelt and North Bellport community farmers' markets will open on Sunday, July 11th
Joining them were the Greater Bellport Coalition, Suffolk County United Veterans, Boys and Girls Club of the Bellport Area, Roosevelt Community Revitalization Group, Health and Welfare Council, and the student participants.
Turn a Value-Meal into a Meal-of-Value
Newsday - July 7, 2010:
Teen-staffed farm stands aim to boost healthy eating
Standing in scorching temperatures nearly hot enough to cook the vegetables in front of them, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and a host of local officials launched teenager-staffed farm stands they hope will boost local agriculture and encourage healthy eating.
Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said Wednesday she will seek $100,000 in federal funding for the project, which will have teenagers from Bellport and Roosevelt selling produce on Sundays starting this weekend through the end of October.
The stands - on Montauk Highway in North Bellport and on Nassau Road in Roosevelt - are expected to sell 300 pounds of corn, squash, cabbage, beets, lettuce and other produce each Sunday, according to Sarah Lansdale, executive director of Sustainable Long Island, which is coordinating the program.
Gillibrand said the program will also help fight the region's growing teenage obesity rates.
"They've all promised me they're going to try every vegetable that is sold on the farm stand," she said. "So they're going to learn a lot about nutritious foods as well."
Brandon Jackson, 16, of Roosevelt, said he's excited to be able to learn about eating healthier. He said he's looking forward to trying the zucchini and radishes he'll be selling.
"I'm overweight," he said. "This is a great opportunity for me to learn about new ways to eat. It'll be a great skill and one I can pass along to others."
Kiana Scipp, 16, of Bellport, said the North Bellport farm stand will mean her family won't have to go to Patchogue for fresh vegetables. "We don't have a lot of stores with fresh food near here," she said.
Other politicians on hand included state Sen. Brian X. Foley (D-Blue-Point) who said he enjoys cooking fresh beets al dente, lightly salted with "a little pepper," and Rep, Tim Bishop (D-Southampton), who said he takes his corn with "a little butter" but no salt.
Gillibrand said she enjoys all vegetables but is a beet novice. "I've never cooked a fresh beet," she said. "That's my challenge this summer."
Bishop admitted he prefers pizza when in Washington, D.C., but said he eats locally grown corn, squash and zucchini when on Long Island. He did break with Foley and Gillibrand on one matter.
"I don't eat beets," Bishop said. "Just so you know."
Newsday: Editorial - July 8, 2010
Farm-fresh produce coming to North Bellport and Roosevelt
Farmers' markets opening this Sunday in North Bellport and Roosevelt are an elegant solution to some daunting problems: unavailability of fresh food in economically distressed areas and lack of youth employment. And they give local farmers an expanded market.
In planning the Sunday markets, Sustainable Long Island and the Long Island Farm Bureau have worked closely with community groups. The need to do something about "food deserts" arose during the community planning processes that Sustainable has been facilitating. That led to an examination of food marketing programs run by young people in the City of New York. Those city programs will help train the teens chosen by the Long Island communities to staff the markets.
For the teens, the benefits are clear: income, and training in both marketing and community building. For the farmers, the stands provide a new outlet for their fresh produce, without tying them down and draining time they could be spending on the land, growing more food.
Farmers' markets are springing up all over the Island, even in communities such as Hicksville, where there's a lot more food access than there is in North Bellport or Roosevelt. Whether the markets are based on food equity, convenience, nostalgia or just fun, they're a welcome turn of events. And they're a salutary reminder that local fresh food makes for better health - for farming, farmers and the rest of us.
Farmers' Markets Provide Jobs for Teens
Long Island Press - July 8, 2010
Farmers' Markets to Open in Roosevelt and Bellport
Long Island has more fast food restaurants than grocery stores on record, and for those with low incomes, access to locally grown, fresh, affordable produce is severely limited. Inspired by the notion of food equity-the idea that access to fresh, healthy food is not universal and that some communities are at a disadvantage in the regional food system-Sustainable Long Island has established two farmers' markets, one in Bellport and one in Roosevelt, to close that gap.
"It's baffling to think about," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) from a North Bellport parking lot and future home of the Bellport Community Farmers' Market. "Since we are such an agricultural community, that some parts of our community do not have easy access to affordable, good, nutritious food, is really unacceptable."
Long Island has a 22 percent childhood obesity rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But in under-served communities that rate goes much higher. There is a 50 percent obesity rate among the children in the Roosevelt community, according to the Roosevelt NuHealth clinic. The town only has one supermarket. But in two days, residents will have locally grown fruits and vegetables within walking distance of their homes.
"No more will they have to settle for high fat, sugar-filled snacks and meals," said Sarah Lansdale, executive director of Sustainable Long Island. "They will now have what most every community on Long Island has, which is an option-an option for healthy, fresh food."
The new farmers' markets will be manned by local students from both communities and they will supplied by Long Island farms. Veterans groups will bring the produce from the farms to market.
"There's no downside to this-everyone wins," said Rep. Tim Bishop (D-New York).
Even the farmers.
Since the turn of the century, Bob Nolan's farm has been a family-owned and operated business.
"This gives us another opportunity to sell our product," said Bob Nolan, former president of the Long Island Farm Bureau. "We are very happy to participate in this and I wish the market all the best. I think it's going to work out."
Suffolk county farmers, including Nolan, donate more food to Island Harvest and other food banks than any other county, not only in New York State, but in the entire country.
"We all know how important it is to preserve open space here," said Bishop. "And the best way to do that is to see to it that farmers can make a living doing something they love doing."
The Bellport Farmers' Market is located at the corner of Montauk Highway and Michigan Avenue and is open every Sunday, July 11-October 31 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cash, WIC, Senior Checks and EBT Cards accepted.
The Roosevelt Farmers' Market is located at 380 Nassau Road in the parking lot of the Roosevelt-Freeport Health Clinic and is open every Sunday, July 11-October 31 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cash, WIC, Senior Checks and EBT Cards accepted.
Come down every Sunday to enjoy the freshest local produce* including:
- Beans
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
- Chicory
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Escarole
- Herbs
- Boston, Green Leaf, Red Boston, Red Leaf, and Romaine Lettuce
- Peppers - Green and Red
- Pumpkins
- Spinach
- Sprouts
- Squash - Green and Winter
- String Beans
- Tomato - Red, Grape, and Plum
- Watermelon - Red and Yellow
- Zucchini - Green and Yellow
And much more as the season progresses!*
*Produce offered at each market is contingent on harvest, product demand, and farmers availability.
News and Events (Under Construction)
October 2009
Long Island Business News - Changing Stations - October 16-22, 2009
Long Island Business News - NY's brownfields program cleans up its act - October 16-22, 2009
Newsday - Revitalizing brownfields helps our downtowns - October 14, 2009
Long Island Business News - Freeport prepares for a makerover - October 9-15, 2009
Newsday - Grant to remodel downtown - October 8, 2009
Networking Magazine - Sustainable Land Development Requires Major Change - October 2009
August 2009
Long Island Business News - We need a Long Island version of the Group of 8 - August 7-13, 2009
July 2009
Anton Community Newspapers - Secession might not be L.I.'s solution to recession, but a regional agenda is - July 31, 2009
June 2009
Newsday - You're a celebrity! Help us out here! - June 19, 2009
April 2009
Networking Magazine - Everything in Place to Build the 21st Century Suburb - April 2009
February 2009
Long Island Business News - The Green Seven - February 20-26, 2009
Newsday - Rebuilding New Cassel's Hopes - February 8, 2009
January 2009
Anton Community Newspapers - Sarah Lansdale Discusses Environment with LWV - January 22, 2009
December 2008
News from Sustainable Long Island - December 2008
Newsday - Work Together for Long Island - December 13, 2008
New York Times - Dreaming of Infrastructure as Federal Aid Beckons - December 7, 2008
Anton Community Newspapers - Supermarkets Make a Difference in Our Communities - December 5, 2008
Flow at the Cinema Arts Centre - December 4, 2008
November 2008
News from Sustainable Long Island - November 2008
New York Times - Elmont Plan Gets a Push from the Governor - November 16, 2008
New York Times - Table's Bounty: Keeping it Local - November 16, 2008
CANVAS - Revamping Copiague - November 2008
House Magazine - An Ideal Long Island - November/December 2008
October 2008
News from Sustainable Long Island - October 2008
Newsday - Downtown, It's Not - October 26, 2008
Long Island Advance - Land back on auction block - October 23, 2008
Newsday - New Cassel project is called 'model' plan - October 4, 2008
Anton Community Newspapers - Long Island needs a plan - and the planners are us - October 3, 2008
September 2008
Networking Magazine - The future of Long Island's Workforce is Green - September 2008
Newsday - Group touts new brownfield rehab incentives - September 14, 2008
August 2008
News from Sustainable Long Island - August 2008
Networking Magazine - We're ready to walk, but where are the sidewalks? - August 2008
Anton Community Newspapers - It's time to turn this region around - August 8, 2008
July 2008
News from Sustainable Long Island - July 2008
Long Island Business News - The Good Earth - July 25, 2008
Building Long Island - The Road to Sustainability - July/August 2008
Networking Magazine - Sewers are critical to Long Island's future - July 2008
June 2008
News from Sustainable Long Island - June 2008
Newsday - Getting from here to there - June 29, 2008
Newsday - Contamination cleanup program trails other states - June 16, 2008
Long Island Magazine - Brownfields Redevelopment:The future of growth on Long Island - June 2008
Anton Community Newspapers - You've Got the Power- June 6, 2008
Networking Magazine - Brownfields - June 2008
May 2008
News from Sustainable Long Island - May 2008
Legislative Gazette - Holding out for Brownfield Reform this Session - May 27, 2008
Newsday - Suburbia Can't Go On Like This - May 20, 2008
Green is the New Red, White & Blue - May 22, 2008
Newsday - Sustainable Long Island Celebrates Dynamic Approach - May 18, 2008
Sustainable Long Island: Long Island's Second Annual Sustainability Conference- May 6, 2008
New York Times - Sewers in Suffolk - May 4, 2008
April 2008
News from Sustainable Long Island - April 2008
Long Island Business News - The Big Idea - April 25, 1008
Brownfield Buster Celebration - April 15, 2008
Long Island Business News - Brown Town - April 11, 2008
Newsday - Oh, those empty spaces - April 10, 2008
Anton Community Newspapers - Long Island at a Tipping Point - April 4, 2008
Networking Magazine - Supermarkets Matter: Here's Why - April 2008
New York Public News Service - Hard-Hit Islanders Seek Alternative to Subprime Mortgages - April 2, 2008
March 2008
Newsday - Low-cost home help is on the way - March 21, 2009
Networking Magazine Guide to Going Green - Long Islanders Face Challenges Getting Around - March 2008
February 2008
Suffolk Life - Residents, Councilwoman map out the future of Farmingville - February 27, 2008
January 2008
Networking Magazine Guide to Going Green - January 2008
2006 - 2007
LI LIFE - Finding the Vision - Newsday - October 28, 2007
Community Forum to Discuss Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design- January 10, 2008
Sustainable Long Island's Statement Regarding the MTA Fare Increase- December 11, 2007
Transportation Solutions for Long Island- September 19, 2007
Sunday on the Sound- August 12, 2007
Sustainable Long Island: 1st Annual Sustainable Development Conference- April 20, 2007
Newsday Letter to the Editor About Sewer Expansion- February 22, 2007
Newsday Letter to the Editor about Roosevelt and New Cassel- February 2, 2007
Community Champions: Bringing the "Community" Back Into Community Planning - Newsday - October 10, 2006
May 22, 2009
Astoria Federal Savings commits to community planning in Farmingville
Bethpage, NY— Astoria Federal Savings Foundation has shown great support for the work of Sustainable Long Island with a grant to facilitate the sustainable community planning process with the Farmingville community. Astoria Federal Savings, with 85 branch locations, is committed to its “Putting people first” philosophy and supporting the many communities it serves.
The goal of the “Seeking a Shared Vision for Farmingville” project is to develop a comprehensive sustainable plan for the revitalization of this community.
Photo: Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director, Sustainable Long Island and Lisa Moenius-Negron, Assistant Branch Manager, Astoria Federal Savings.
Letter to the editor of Newsday:
Sent April 23, 2009
Sustainable Long Island applauds Newsday’s coverage of stimulus funding for transit projects, especially as the economy falters and people continue to seek alternate forms of transportation. Recent coverage, however, misrepresents Sustainable Long Island’s position on pending stimulus funding and merely pulled one sentence out of context which distracted from the critical reasons for the hearing and the testimony.
The funding allocated to projects in Nassau and Suffolk County, currently do not reflect the necessary funding needed to make the vital changes to our public infrastructure. Sustainable Long Island recommended NYMTC consider providing a larger percentage of the stimulus funding projects indentified as priorities by Long Islanders. In addition, there a need for transparency in the allocation process. An open and transparent process would have allowed many of the shovel-ready projects that Long Islanders do support and need, to be considered in this process.
Letter to the editor of Newsday:
Sent April 8, 2009
I was pleased to see the positive coverage of the federal stimulus funds Long Island received for the reconstruction of Route 112, between Coram and Port Jefferson Station. There has been a drone of disapproval about the amounts that will hit Long Island directly. Perhaps Long Island was shortchanged, but instead of harsh reactions and criticizing our leaders, we could ask, why do we keep being shortchanged? My guess is because we are still living in the 1950s, with recommendations from Long Islanders to widen highways and continually say “Not in my backyard.” We were not ready for an influx of money as our major projects still lack public support; our local governments are dragging their feet on approvals and zoning changes and all of us are in a constant state of reaction instead of action. Instead of reacting to the unfavorable decisions of the past, let’s demand transparency from our elected leaders and really get behind some regional projects that can create permanent jobs so that we truly are shovel-ready for what is coming down the pike.
Roslyn Savings Foundation Contributes to Creating a Sustainable Future for Long Island
April 23, 2009
Sustainable Long Island is pleased to announce a generous grant of $9,000 from Roslyn Savings Foundation. This grant will allow Sustainable Long Island to continue its work in communities across Long Island.
For 11 years, Sustainable Long Island has partnered with Long Island communities to facilitate a unique Community Planning Process that educates and engages all stakeholders in a dialogue about their future. Targeted stakeholders include clergy, civic organizations, business and property owners, school based organizations, education professionals, youth organizations and environmental organizations. From extensive community outreach to such groups a unified coalition representing the community is brought together to lead the Planning Process and provide a single voice for the community. The goal of this process is to build consensus in a community of diverse ideas through the creation and implementation of a common plan that serves as a roadmap for future development.
Together, we identify solutions that meet the needs of the local residents, bolster the local economy, and create areas that reflect the values and vision of the residents.
Sustainable Long Island continues to work in a number of communities across Long Island, each with a unique history, set of challenges and opportunities. But in each community the goal is the same: to bring stakeholders back into the planning process. Communities that Sustainable Long Island has partnered with include Port Washington, New Cassel, Roosevelt, Wyandanch, Middle Country, Bellport, Elmont and Farmingville.
About The Roslyn Savings Foundation:
The Roslyn Savings Foundation was organized in 1997, exclusively for charitable purposes. The Roslyn Savings Foundation is committed to providing grants designed to further community development, expand home ownership opportunities and provide access to affordable housing in the local community served by The Roslyn Savings Bank. In addition, the Foundation supports local community organizations, such as those in the health, education and culture categories, which contribute to the quality of life.
Sustainable Long Island Adds Expertise to Help Communities Weather Economic Crisis
December 4, 2008
Sustainable Long Island recently announced reorganization with the promotion of Sol Marie Alfonso Jones to Deputy Director and the addition of Jennifer E. Rimmer to a new position as Director of Sustainable Community Planning and Economic Development.
“During these tough economic times it is important to bolster our efforts in creating strong and vibrant communities that can weather the hard times and prosper during the good ones,” said Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director. “The promotion of Sol Marie Alfonso Jones to Deputy Director and the addition of Jennifer Rimmer as our Director of Sustainable Community Planning and Economic Development will enable Sustainable Long Island to make a greater impact.”
As Deputy Director, Ms. Jones will focus on creating and enhancing partnerships with businesses, municipalities, universities and nonprofits to develop new programs that maximize scarce resources. Prior to her promotion, Sol Marie Alfonso Jones successfully managed Sustainable Long Island’s Program Department, overseeing the revitalization of seven communities and the organization’s Brownfields Redevelopment Program. She has spent nearly two decades developing and managing programs that improve the quality of life for all people throughout a region. Her experiences range from brokering opportunities for community members, working collaboratively with local appointed and elected officials, to representing regional concerns at statewide forums. As Director of the Fight For Families Coalition, she led an alliance of community-based organizations in an effort to ensure that all Nassau County residents have access to adequate and quality health and human services. Ms. Jones was the Assistant Director for Community Relations at the New York State Governor's Office for Hispanic Affairs during the Cuomo administration. She has a B.A. from the University of Rochester in Political Science.
Veteran community and environmental activist Jennifer E. Rimmer joins us in a new role and will be responsible for advancing Sustainable Long Island’s planning and implementation of community revitalization efforts on Long Island. Prior to joining Sustainable Long Island, Ms. Rimmer was the Vice President for Subsidiary Development, Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and was responsible for overseeing the redevelopment of the Javits Convention Center, the Moynihan Station, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Queens West, Governors Island, Harlem Community Development Corporation, Harriman Research and Technology Park. Ms. Rimmer also worked with the Governor’s office to develop and implement smart growth and sustainability programs that are linked to the State's economic development. Ms. Rimmer was the Executive Director of Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington and worked closely to implement sustainable principals with elected officials and the community. She has a Masters of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and lives in Port Washington with her husband and her two daughters.
The William E. and Maude S. Pritchard Charitable Trust Demonstrates Dedication to Long Island Communities
May 15, 2008
Bethpage, NY— The William E. and Maude S. Pritchard Charitable Trust has shown great support of the work of Sustainable Long Island with their generous grant of $50,000. This funding will benefit Sustainable Long Island’s coalition building in Long Island communities, and implementation of the sustainable community plan in Greater Bellport.
Sustainable Long Island has been working with Bellport residents, business and municipal leaders, and clergy for the past two years to create a community plan that reflects the values and goals they have for the future. Through a comprehensive community planning process that draws together stakeholders, planners and government, Sustainable Long Island has helped to initiate dialogue in Bellport on the issues affecting its economy, environment and equity. Sustainable Long Island is now in the process of drafting the Greater Bellport sustainable community plan.
Some aspects of the plan include: increasing safety and reducing crime, increasing government responsiveness, beautification and cleaning of the streets, increasing walkability through improved sidewalks and curbs, development of new mixed income housing, development of a commercial hamlet center, increased opportunities for recreation and enhanced sense of community.
LICF Empowers Long Island Communities
March 11, 2008
Bethpage, NY—The Long Island Community Foundation recently awarded a $20,000 grant to Sustainable Long Island to assist in its work with community capacity building. The generous grant will be used for Sustainable Long Island to educate and empower these coalitions so that they can communicate a unified agenda to local officials; engage the rest of the community in creating a community plan for future development; and implement their sustainable community plan.
Sustainable Long Island’s community partners include the Roosevelt Community Revitalization Group, Wyandanch Implementation Committee, Middle Country Coalition for Smart Growth, the Greater Bellport Coalition, the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, and others. Capacity building with these groups includes hosting Community Roundtables for the community partners to learn from each other by sharing information and experiences, as well as a day-long Community Partners Retreat to build on the work that Sustainable Long Island has been doing with individual community partners throughout coalition building.
“We’re very excited to provide our community partners with the tools they need to become strong, independent coalitions,” said Sol Marie Alfonso Jones, Sustainable Long Island’s Director of Programs.
Sustainable Long Island will use the grant money to expand the services that it provides to these groups to build their infrastructures, skills and access to resources so that they can create change in their communities. By providing additional and expanded services to these community groups, they will be better equipped to implement their sustainable community plans, act as a resource to their community in the future and influence decision making.
HSBC Demonstrates Its Continuing Commitment to Long Island Communities
September 6, 2007
Bethpage, NY—HSBC Bank has shown their support for the revitalization of Long Island communities by giving a $15,000 grant to Sustainable Long Island to continue its work helping Long Island communities improve their economies, protect their environment and give citizens a voice in the process.
The award was made through HSBC’s Community Development Grant Program, which supports local nonprofits dedicated to addressing the credit needs of low-to-moderate businesses and communities, developing and preserving affordable housing, and revitalizing low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.
Sustainable Long Island has partnered with Long Island communities seeking to revitalize their economic centers, creating successful implementations in Hempstead, Huntington Station, New Cassel, Roosevelt, Wyandanch and other areas. Through a comprehensive Community Planning process that draws together stakeholders, planners, and government, Sustainable Long Island has helped communities initiate dialogue on the issues affecting their economy and environment, and promoting social equity in their downtowns.
Contributions from companies such as HSBC, coupled with the generosity of individual Long Islanders, make it possible for Sustainable Long Island to work for the betterment of all Long Island communities.
From left: Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director of Sustainable Long Island, receives a check from HSBC Senior Vice President and Nassau District Executive Angelo Frangella, and HSBC First Vice President of Community Business Development Elizabeth Custodio.
Washington Mutual Helps Make Revitalization in Roosevelt a Reality
September 6, 2007
Bethpage, NY— Washington Mutual (WaMu) has continued its support of Sustainable Long Island’s work with Roosevelt with their generous $25,000 grant to Sustainable Long Island. The funding will be used to implement the Roosevelt Vision Plan, a community revitalization plan developed by community members in Roosevelt with the assistance of Sustainable Long Island.
With the goal of promoting Roosevelt’s vision plan, this funding from WaMu will help to develop a Hub building in Roosevelt. The Hub is a green architecture building that will provide non-profit shared space on the ground floor and additional floors of affordable housing. There will be a total of 14 units of housing. Seven units will be developed as rental units and seven units will be developed as condominium units. This type of shared use building will be the first of their kind on Long Island and nationwide and will be the first green architecture buildings in low socio-economic communities on Long Island. Sustainable Long Island believes that this development will jump start other development in Roosevelt.
It will be incredibly meaningful for the residents of Roosevelt to see their plans being actualized while maintaining their influence and participation in the revitalization of their communities. The implementation of the Roosevelt Vision Plan and the development of the Hub building will help to revitalize Roosevelt in a way that is equitable for all members of the community and will demonstrate smart environmental practices.
“WaMu’s commitment to creating a Long Island where individuals can live, work and play in their own communities is shown by this generous grant,” said Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director, Sustainable Long Island.
About WaMu:
WaMu, through its subsidiaries, is one of the nation’s leading consumer and small business banks. At June 30, 2007, WaMu and its subsidiaries had assets of $312.22 billion. The company has a history dating back to 1889 and its subsidiary banks currently operate approximately 2,700 consumer and small business banking stores throughout the nation. WaMu’s press releases are available at http://newsroom.wamu.com.
From Left: Sustainable Long Island Executive Director Sarah Lansdale receives a check from Patrice Havelka, Washington Mutual Vice President and Relationship Manager.
Citibank Shows Commitment to the Improvement of Long Island’s Communities
September 6, 2007
Bethpage, NY—Citibank generously granted $20,000 to Sustainable Long Island to conduct a study analyzing the organization’s Long Island Fund for Sustainable Development. The purpose of the study is to explore sustainable development goals and issues on Long Island for the future of the Fund.
The study is already underway and with the results Sustainable Long Island will define potential development goals to adopt, as well as identify a set of lending and investment practices.
The Long Island Fund for Sustainable Development was established five years ago as a subsidiary of Sustainable Long Island. The goals for the Fund were to compliment the development goals of Sustainable Long Island, offering loans for business start-up to stakeholders in the development of Long Island communities.
Citibank has consistently supported the work of Sustainable Long Island and with this funding they will help Sustainable Long Island improve the effectiveness of its Long Island Fund for Sustainable Development.
About Sustainable Long Island:
Sustainable Long Island serves as a catalyst for creating a better quality of life for all Long Islanders, now and for future generations through economic development, environmental health and social equity. Sustainable Long Island connects public and private resources and expertise with communities that need them. Sustainable Long Island is located at 45A Seaman Avenue, Bethpage, NY, 11714. For further information, call (516) 873-0230, or visit www.sustainableli.org.
From left: Citibank Community Relations Director for Long Island, Michelle DiBenedetto presents a check to Sustainable Long Island Board President Amy Hagedorn and Executive Director Sarah Lansdale.
Astoria Federal Savings Bank Demonstrates Commitment to Revitalization in Elmont
September 6, 2007
Elmont, NY—Astoria Federal Savings Bank has shown great support of the work of Sustainable Long Island with their grant of $1,000. This funding is directly benefitting Sustainable Long Island’s work with the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development to create a plan for the future of Elmont, named one of Long Island’s most economically distressed communities.
Elmont is the “gateway community” from Queens to Nassau County. The community planning process has offered multiple opportunities for public participation through education workshops, which led to a Visioning Day where community members were asked to envision the future development of Elmont along Hempstead Turnpike. Sustainable Long Island, with planning consultants Saccardi & Schiff, have been working with Elmont residents, business and municipal leaders, as well as clergy for the past year to set the foundation for a community plan that reflects the values and goals they have for their town.
Through a comprehensive community planning process that draws together stakeholders, planners and government, Sustainable Long Island has helped to initiate dialogue in Elmont on the issues affecting its economy, environment and equity. Sustainable Long Island has worked to ensure that every resident of Elmont has had an opportunity to contribute viable recommendations to address the issues that affect everyone who lives or works in the Elmont community. Specific targets have included improving Hempstead Turnpike; developing the community around the Belmont Racetrack; fostering economic development; facilitating community development; creating a range of housing options; and developing a unique look for Elmont. A comprehensive plan for the Elmont community, specifically along Hempstead Turnpike, is in the works and upon completion will be presented to the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development and to Town of Hempstead and Nassau County officials.
About Sustainable Long Island:
Sustainable Long Island is a New York State chartered, federally tax exempt regional nonprofit corporation serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Sustainable Long Island serves as a catalyst for creating a better quality of life for all Long Islanders, now and for future generations through economic development, environmental health and social equity. The organization connects public and private resources and expertise with communities that need them. Sustainable Long Island is located at 45A Seaman Avenue, Bethpage, NY, 11714. For further information, call (516) 873-0230, or visit www.sustainableli.org.
From left: Jaime Grasso, Assistant Secretary and Branch Manager, Astoria Federal Savings presents a check to Sustainable Long Island Director of Programs, Sol Marie Alfonso Jones.
New York State Council of the Arts Demonstrates Dedication to Sustainable Development on in Long Island Communities
September 21, 2007
Bethpage, NY— The New York State Council of the Arts has shown great support of the work of Sustainable Long Island with their generous grant of $20,000. This funding is directly benefitting Sustainable Long Island’s work with the Greater Bellport Coalition to revitalize Bellport, named the fourth most economically distressed community on Long Island.
Sustainable Long Island has been working with Bellport residents, business and municipal leaders, as well as clergy for the past year to create a community plan that reflects the values and goals they have for their town. Through a comprehensive Community Planning process that draws together stakeholders, planners and government, Sustainable Long Island has helped to initiate dialogue in Bellport on the issues affecting its economy, environment and equity. Sustainable Long Island is now in the process of concluding their work in Bellport providing the town with a comprehensive plan for revitalization.
Sustainable Long Island appreciates the support from the New York Council of the Arts whose goal is to bring high-quality artistic programs to the citizens of New York State by supporting the activities of cultural organizations like Sustainable Long Island. Both organizations value strongly the importance of social equity.
Sustainable Long Island Goes Green
August 2006
Mission in Practice: Creating a Work Place That Supports Our Downtowns and Environment
On the morning of August 30th, Sustainable Long Island moved to 45A Seaman Avenue in Bethpage. Among the reasons for choosing this site is its convenient location within walking distance of the Bethpage train station, downtown Bethpage, and Bethpage State Park.
Our new office space takes advantage of sustainable or “green” design. The floor, ceiling, and walls are made from recycled and eco-friendly products providing a healthier working environment, while improving the environment.
We invite you to visit us and see our new space. For more information please download a brochure about the new space
Sustainable Long Island would like to thank the following for donating eco-friendly products or services for our new office: Russell Albanese, Armstrong, Benjamin Moore, Forbo, Green Depot, INTERFACEFlor, Peter Reiss, Riverhead Building Supplies, Task Floors Inc., TPG Architecture, and Wolf Gordon.
