Love More Than Just Your Veggies: Local Roots NYC Seeks To Grow In The Brownstone Belt
“I hated vegetables as a kid,” declared Wen-Jay Ying, the founder and owner of Local Roots NYC.
Local Roots NYC, the whole diet CSA (community supported agriculture) founded in 2011 that operates primarily from bars and cafe, is coming to Ditmas Park’s The Farm on Adderley (1108 Cortelyou Road)
.Hippocrates said “all disease begins in the gut,” and that clearly informs Local Roots NYC’s approach to business.
“Once you get introduced to really good, fresh food you just learn naturally about our food systems. It organically put you in touch with other issues we might be dealing with like environmental issues or social issues,” explained Ying.
As part of that mission, Local Roots NYC is the only whole diet CSA in New York City. Ying described how wanted to make a “one-stop shop” model that could support all different kinds of farms as long as they’re all local and sustainable.
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Not everyone cooks vegetables in NYC – it doesn’t work for everyone’s dietary preference or schedule, so we have pasta, meats, cheese, and more,”said Ying.
The idea for Local Roots NYC came out of Ying’s own public service. After a year in Americorps, she worked at an orchard and then at farmer’s markets. Knowing exactly what she wanted to do, Ying decided to make her own job.
“It really was when I was in Americorps, I got introduced to local food systems. I never really thought New York was my home until I got into the CSA business, because it was the first time I got to meet all the interesting New Yorkers from outside my social circle,” detailed Ying.
By changing our gastronomic economy, Ying hopes to help people to reconnect with their own traditions as well as their neighbors.
Ying sees Local Roots NYC as a place to “to bring back family traditions of cooking, to help tell the stories of ancestors, and to make it simple for everyone that the CSA is a social common ground.”
Five years on, Ying is bringing her CSA to Ditmas Park. That grew out of an employee who lived in the neighborhood and didn’t see enough places to shop in the area. She asked around to see if there was interest and, finding that there was, Local Roots NYC.
“We partnered up with Farm on Adderley because they focus on using local farm ingredients,” said Ying.
Meanwhile, over in Gowanus, Local Roots is going strong at Threes Brewery.
“The way we got started in Gowanus is because that I was booking shows for bands at the venue,” laughed Ying.
Ying was attracted to Gowanus because she saw a chance to make an indent with a population that was already more sensitive to sustainability.
“With Gowanus, there’s a lot more sensitivity to environmental issues because of the canal. So, I think there’s more of a focus on the impacts we have on our environment, large and small,” explained Ying.
With about 20 locations across New York City, Local Roots NYC is growing quickly. Its founder hopes to continue to make an impact.
“So much of what I believe in is supporting local economies. I think when people can see this direct connection to small farmers and they can see this direct benefit. It’s being part of this system that treats individuals with respect, is built upon respect, and has a ripple effect that causes people support other small businesses,” explained Ying.
CSA season starts on June 6th. Pick-up at The Farm on Adderley is scheduled for Wednesdays between 6–8pm, beginning June 8. Folks who are interested are encouraged to head over to the Local Roots NYC website. There’s a $5 late fee, but that can be waived by entering the code “jonagold”.