Your salad may have been grown in Long Island City.

Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm, Long Island City -photo:Jesse Winter
Standard Motors has a farm, EE-I-EE-I-O… Long Island City celebrated the success of its first rooftop farm this week, with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local press & politicians. The farmers, Brooklyn Grange, jumped through many hoops to sow their rooftop farm and are starting to see the fruits of their labor. Luckily, so are we.
The one-acre farm on the roof of the Standard Motors building on Northern Blvd is impressive to say the least. Growing speciality vegetables, the farm is already selling to prominent restaurants in the city, as well as their own market in the SM lobby, and can barely keep up with their abundant bounty. So far they’re growing: kale, spinach, rainbow swiss chard, basil, thai basil, mint, cilantro, mustard mix, green salad mix, mizuna, merlot lettuce heads, crispino lettuce heads, bok choy, komatsuna, Italian dandelion and coming soon, cucumbers and puntarelle.

Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm, Long Island City –photo:Jesse Winter
By popular demand, Brooklyn Grange is launching a CSA. CSA stands for “Community-Supported Agriculture” and it refers to a system where individuals buy season-long farms shares and get a weekly bag of seasonal produce. BG’s CSA will begin next week, so write to them and sign up soon! The deets:
One CSA share costs $350 for 18 weeks of fresh veggies (less than $20 a week)
Your share will get you a “mixed bag” of 7-10lbs of vegetables per week, including a sampling of whatever vegetables we have in season
You can pick up your share during their market hours from 3-7pm on Tuesdays &Thursdays in the lobby of the Standard Motors Building, 37-18 Northern Blvd, LIC (36th St station, R & M train).
Email brooklyngrangefarm@gmail.com to sign up for their CSA.

Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm, Long Island City –photo:Brooklyn Grange
.
Brooklyn Grange Farm [BGF blog]
Brooklyn Grange finally farming [Gothamist]
NYC’s biggest rooftop farm opens in LIC [Epoch Times]
Are the vegetables organic?
Can you imagine going through all that trouble and then NOT be organic?
who cares, its still a lot fresher and im sure even cleaner then the products coming from south america
Do you mean cleaner than the genetically modified foods grown in the states? And are you referring to the pesticides that are MADE in America and then sold for consumption in SA?
For me, it would defeat the whole purpose of buying their stuff if it hasn’t been grown organically. That’s the deal breaker. Does everything have to turn into an argument on this blog?
why is everyone a dick on this blog…chill out bro.
They’re just debating. no need to get so flabbergasted. I ate some veggies from there and they were fresh and tasty. Like if you grew it in your garden, picked it and then ate it for lunch. It’s probably organic in the sense that there are no pesticides/fungicides being used. And also no trucking involved, and I’m sure they are using compost. It’s so close to us you can go to the farm and see how the food is being grown. Where else can you do that?
Nice answer #8.
I apologize if I sounded overly-defensive, but being from South America, I can’t help but have a reaction to someone saying our products are not clean. I mean, where do you think you live? The US has nothing to boast about when it comes to industrialized farming practices.
Anyways, organic/local rooftop farming sounds like a great alternative!
Send tips, feedback, and death threats to info [at] liqcity [dot] com
Search
Popular Posts
Long Island City fire and ice Monday morning linkageMTA to LIC: 7-train service suspended for the next, um, eleven weekendsLong Island City bleary but warm Monday afternoon linkageRecap of the latest public hearing about LIC's Hunters Point SouthLong Island City Back in the Saddle Friday morning linkageLaughing Devil Comedy Club brews up some funny for Long Island CityliQcity to Long Island City: Beware of SOPA & PIPA!Archives
Arts
They’re baaaaack. Summer Warm Ups at LIC’s PS1 MoMA kick off this Saturday. Long Island City Culture Chronicle: The Queens Art Express Hit List Long Island City’s Ten10 Studios is ‘Growing Up’ this weekendBuzz
Mystery at the Long Island City waterfront Another grocery store for LIC: MetFoods to manifest on 51st Ave Life, death, and transformation in Long Island City. Of storefronts, that is.Community
CRIME: Long Island City woman sexually assaulted on Vernon Blvd Agenda for Long Island City’s next Community Board 2 Meeting, Dec 1st liQcity is going non-profit! Support liQpop and help us help you LIC.Commuting
MTA to LIC: 7-train service suspended for the next, um, eleven weekends Long Island City express to New Jersey? Not any weekend soon. LIC update on the weekend 7 train shutdowns for October 2011Dining
Long Island City’s beloved M.Wells Diner closing down this month Good Eats in LIC: Hunters Point dishes up some serious seasonal seafood Long Island City hosts not-so-new Romanian ‘Ion’s Corner Cafe’Economy
LICBDC news: Borden Ave Bridge back in Sept; LIC boasts low crime rates LICBDC supports local biz with massive Annual Luncheon & Trade Show Long Island City barely hit in the latest Queens foreclosuresEvents
Long Island City events round-up: Fundraiser Fever!! Edible Queens’ ‘Queens Uncorked’ event in LIC to benefit local farmers Long Island City Events: Arts Arts Arts and more ArtsGovernment
liQcity to Long Island City: Beware of SOPA & PIPA! LIC’s dangerous 44th Drive tightening up & getting a bike lane. Thanks DOT! Quickie recount of CB2′s public hearing yesterday on 49th Ave & HP SouthHappenings
Courtyard Winter Carnival at PS1 MoMA with M. Wells & Manducatis Rustica Long Island City Partnership Annual Trade Show & Luncheon 2011 Recap The 2011 ING NYC Marathon blazed through LIC this weekendHealth
Swine Flu visits Long Island City If you smell something, say something. Yoga and Pilates in Long Island City – Radiant Movement StudioLife
Long Island City photos du jour: Hurricane Irene weekend sunset shots Long Island City and Hurricane Irene: A match made in… well, we’ll see. Life in Long Island City as photographed by local residentsLinkage
Long Island City Holiday limbo Tuesday morning linkage Long Island City moon over Monday morning linkage Long Island City drizzly and sunny Tuesday morning linkageliQcity
Long Island City clouds-are-gathering Tuesday morning linkage Quick note from the Editor Add your Long Island City shots to liQcity’s Flickr photo poolLocal Biz
Laughing Devil Comedy Club brews up some funny for Long Island City Support local business! Thank you to our amazing LIC sponsors. Long Island City new local biz update: bistros, burgers and moreNeighborhood
Long Island City’s CB2 tackles Murray Park renovation & film crews in LIC Examining the impact of losing the 2012 Olympic bid on LIC & NYC Public Hearing about new liquor license apps & 48th Ave makeover in LICNew Development
Recap of the latest public hearing about LIC’s Hunters Point South Update and Public Hearing on LIC’s Hunters Point South project An update on Long Island City’s favorite City housing developmentNews
Long Island City bleary but warm Monday afternoon linkage Long Island City Back in the Saddle Friday morning linkage Long Island City fire and ice Monday morning linkageOddities
Accidents will happen in Long Island City. And happen. Long Island City’s long lost East River footbridge concept discovered Breaking LIC news: car drives into Vernon Blvd restaurantOpenings
Long Island City new biz update; many new restaurants popping & bubbling New local business still blooming in Long Island City Retail blooms in Hunters Point; Lots of new Long Island City bizLinks
EAT
BANY Asian Fusion Bella Via Blend Breadbox Café Bricktown Bagels Brooks 1890 Restaurant The Burger Garage Café Henri Court Square Diner The Creek Da Gianni’s Ristorante Dorian Café El Ay Si Five Star Banquet & Restaurant Five Stars Punjabi Diner Gaw Gai Thai Express Ihawan Jackson Avenue Steakhouse Junior’s Café La Vuelta LIC Market Manducatis Manducatis Rustica Manetta’s Masso Riverview Restaurant & Lounge Sage General Store SHI Sushi Siam Testaccio Tournesol Tuk Tuk Waterfront Crabhouse Water’s EdgeDRINK
Butcher Hookah & Juice Bar Communitea Domaine Bar a Vins Dominie’s Hoek Dutch Kills Bar LIC Bar Lounge 47 Penthouse 808 @ Ravel Hotel PJ Leahy’s Shannon Pot Studio Square biergarten SweetleafREAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTS
5SL - 5th Street Lofts 10 Court Square 10-17 Jackson Ave 10-50 Jackson Ave Condos 41st Ave Condos 44-27 Purves Condo Arris Lofts Avalon Riverview Rentals Avalon Riverview North Rentals Casa Vizcaya Condos Citylights Crescent Club Condos East Coast Rentals East of East East River Tower Echelon Condos Hallets Cove Condos Galaxy Condos Gantry Condos Gotham Center Hunters Point Condos The Foundry LIC Condos Fusion LIC Condos L Haus Condos Murano Condos Orient Condos Packard Square Rentals Piano Factory Condos The Prestige Condos Powerhouse Condos Queens Plaza Condos Solarium Condos Star Tower Condos Ten63 Jackson Condos Vere Condos View59 Condos View at East Coast CondosARTS
5 Pointz AES Gallery Art-O-Mat (RIP) BrickHouse Ceramic Art Center Bridgeview School of Fine Art Center for Holographic Arts Chocolate Factory Theater Climate/Gallery Dean Project Deitch Studios Dorsky Gallery Dutch Kills Gallery Fisher Landau Center for Art Flux Factory Green Space Dance Studio Juvenal Reis Studios LaGuardia Performing Arts Center LIC Artists LIC Art Center LIC Cultural Alliance Live at the Gantries Local Project M55 Gallery Museum of the Moving Image NY Irish Center Noguchi Museum P.S. 1 Queens Art Express Queens Council on the Arts Repetti Gallery SculptureCenter Secret Theatre Silvercup Studios Socrates Sculpture Park Space Womb Thalia Spanish Theatre The Space Texas FirehouseLOCAL BIZ
Big City Graphics & Printing Blue Streak Wines Build it Green! Camp Bow Wow LIC The Cat’s Pajamas Hotel Charge & Ride City Vet C-Town Cranky*s Café Court Square Wines & Spirits Czech-Slovak Varieties Dog Island City Duane Reade E & I Deli Emily Spa Ethereal Boutique Express 1 Laundromat Film Biz Recycling Foodcellar Hunters Point Wines & Spirits Into White Dental Just Things Kika Hair Design Kitty & Dog Lounge Krypton Neon LIC Kids LIC School of Ballet Little Closets Lolly’s Early Learning Center MaidPro Matted LIC Nook n’ Crannie New York Looks Salon Pooches Sport & Spa Primp & Tease Salon Sharifwear Spokesman Cycles State Farm Subdivision Vernon Pharmacy Vernon Wine & Liquor Vine WineHEALTH & FITNESS
Balance Medical Spa City Ice Pavilion CityView Raquet Club CrossFit LIC Element Fitness Into White Dental LIC Physical Therapy LIC YMCA NYC Paintball QueensWest Health Radiant Movement NY Circus Arts Tennisport Triumph Physical Therapy The Yoga Room Yoga Studio 6LOCAL LINKS
108th Police Precinct info Community Board 2 District 37 NYS Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan Dutch Kills Civic Association Edible Queens Magazine Gantry Plaza State Park Greater Astoria Historical Society Green Shores NYC Hunters Point LIC Greenmarket Jimmy Van Bramer, District 26 City Councilman LIC Alliance LIC Boathouse LICBDC LIC Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) LIC Millstones Blog LICweb Materials for the Arts Murray Playground Newtown Creek Alliance Queensbridge Park Queens Public Library: Court Square Branch Queens Public Library: LIC Branch Queens West Development Corporation Partnership for Parks Recycle a Bicycle Skyline City ChurchHOTELS
Best Western Plaza Hotel Comfort Inn Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Days Inn (Sunnyside) Fairfield Inn by Marriott (Sunnyside) Holiday Inn Express Midtown Tunnel (Sunnyside) Holiday Inn Manhattan View Howard Johnson Inn LaQuinta Inn (Sunnyside) Quality Inn Ramada Hotel Ravel Hotel & Rooftop Verve Hotel Z-Hotel (under construction)© 2007 liQcity. All Rights Reserved.



Hopefully more buildings in LIC will do this. It’s also good for energy savings. Talk about a green roof!! How come they don’t sell their stuff at the LIC greenmarket?