BROOKLYN GRANGE PLANTS FOOD FOREST ATOP THE JACOB JAVITS CENTER
LENAPEHOKING; NEW YORK, NEW YORK - (April 26, 2022): Brooklyn Grange, the New York City-based rooftop farming, design/build, and events business, has installed a unique food forest atop the roof of the Jacob Javits Convention Center’s recent expansion. The food forest is designed to mimic the ecosystems found in New York’s forests, and further educate New Yorkers about their local ecology.
This week’s installation is the latest addition to an innovative foodscape atop the convention center that includes a one-acre green roof farm, hydroponic greenhouse, and orchard, operated by Brooklyn Grange. Incorporated into the 10,000 square foot orchard comprised of 38 New York pear and apple trees, the forest includes a biodiverse variety of plants and creates a more complex and resilient space in which to grow food for humans, as well as other species that rely on green infrastructure in the built environment.
“This green space provides new habitat opportunities for fauna in our local ecosystem, and includes edible plants that have been part of our forests for millenia, but that you won’t find in our modern grocery stores,” noted Ben Flanner, CEO & co-Founder of Brooklyn Grange. “It’s valuable to have these plants growing in New York City.”
Plants were selected for their ability to survive beneath the young fruit trees established on the roof in 2021, and continue to thrive as their canopy develops over the course of several years. Many of the species are native to the region, and some, such as serviceberries, currants, mountain laurel, and american licorice, are believed to have once grown on the very land where the Javits Center is now located.
The food forest is one of several features that sets the Javits Center’s rooftop ecosystem apart from other rooftop farming operations. A state of the art greenhouse provides year-round growing space, and a 344,000 gallon underground cistern recovers and recycles rainwater runoff. Recently, The Farm at the Javits Center joined Brooklyn Grange’s existing locations in becoming a NYS Grown and Certified operation, a statewide effort that identifies local producers who adhere to higher standards in terms of food safety and environmental stewardship.
“The Javits Center is pushing the envelope of what it means to be sustainable as a venue, a neighbor and a leader in educating others about the benefits of green roofs,” said Jacqueline Tran, Director of Energy and Sustainability at the Javits Center. “This new food forest is a valuable addition to our unconventional oasis on Manhattan’s West Side, and its creation highlights the ability to shape and reshape the built environment for a healthier and more sustainable community.”
“Stewarding land in New York City to feed people is a huge privilege, and the food forest is an exciting opportunity to invite new plants, animals, and insects into the work we do on the Farm at the Javits Center,” said Farm Manager Orion Ashmore. “Edible perennial landscapes have a long and impactful history in our community gardens across the city, and it feels great to contribute another diverse ecosystem for event goers and the surrounding community to experience.”
Visitors will be able to register for tours of The Javits Center, including the rooftop farm and food forest, beginning later this spring.
ABOUT BROOKLYN GRANGE
Founded in 2010, Brooklyn Grange is the leading rooftop farming and intensive green roofing business in the US. Brooklyn Grange operates the world’s largest rooftop soil farms, located on three roofs in New York City; designs, builds, and maintains urban green spaces, and hosts events and educational programming aiming to connect community with food, farming, and green space. For more information, please visit www.brooklyngrangefarm.com.
ABOUT THE JAVITS CENTER
Designed by I.M. Pei & Partners, the Javits Center opened in 1986 and has since become New York City's primary venue for large conventions, trade shows and special events and serves as home to many of the world's top 250 trade shows, hosting millions of visitors a year. These large-scale events have generated more than $2 billion in annual economic activity for New York City and New York State, supporting as many as 18,000 jobs in and around the facility. Located on 11th Avenue between West 34th and West 40th Streets in Manhattan, the Javits Center has more than 850,000 square feet of total exhibition space, two new floors of meeting room and pre-function spaces and a wide range of catering, security, sustainability, and technology services. For more information, please visit www.javitscenter.com.
PHOTOS - COURTESY OF BROOKLYN GRANGE
MEDIA CONTACT
Victoria Yan, Communications & Content Manager, Brooklyn Grange
Victoria@BrooklynGrangeFarm.com