With food expenses rising and groceries costing more for families across the state, access to fresh food is even more of a necessity than ever. Queens State Assembly member, Khaleel Anderson, is "beyond excited" to be named chair of the Task Force on Farm, Food, and Nutrition Policy for the New York State Assembly, and his passion for healthy food is evident as he tours the state's farms.
"We have a growing — pun intended — food ecosystem here on the peninsula," said Anderson, about his district in Far Rockaway, Queens. His journey to this position began more than 12 years ago as a high school student, when Superstorm Sandy devastated his community in the Rockaways. He dedicated himself to addressing the systemic barriers that create food apartheid in low-income and underserved communities with limited access to healthy and affordable food.
"After [Superstorm] Sandy, a lot of folks realized that our food system was terrible here. We had no electricity, no gas for many weeks after the storm had hit. People had to figure out ways to eat. Food was coming in, but there wasn't autonomy (so) folks began to grow," said Anderson. "I was able to help build a half-an-acre urban farm in Arverne after Sandy, because now people were able to understand building out that self-sufficiency."
One example of that understanding is the Far Rockaway High School's hydroponic farm, where Anderson did a walk-through on Friday, Jan. 24. The school's farm and kitchen are operated by Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ).
His position fulfills a goal that dates to his election. "When I first got in office, I brought out the chair of this same task force to the farm that I helped build," said Anderson. "I was thinking that maybe one day, I could lead some of that work for the state."
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