Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Farmers Markets Open! Summer Soccer/Basketball for Kids!

Join us! Farmers Markets  Fun Fitness for Kids and Adults  Crown Heights Farmers Market  TODAY 1-6 pm, Hamilton Metz Field  Prospect Park markets Friday & Saturday EBT, SNAP, WIC/FMNP $2 Free Health Bucks for $5 EBT spent Soccer - Basketball - Camps! NYPD Basketball Today - Read On TODAY - welcome RH Farms to Brooklyn! EBT, SNAP, WIC, FMNP, Health Bucks accepted at all markets! Get $2 free for every $5 EBT spent. Fresh-picked kale, corn, carrots, beets, spring onions, potatoes, plums, peaches, tomatoes, lettuces... more. We're in Crown Heights, corner of Albany & Lefferts Aves. Click here for location Kids, teens! Sign up for summer sports camps & activities. Come for soccer and basketball. Ride the blender bike. Enjoy fresh juices at the Hip2B Healthy Market. Free health screenings with Dr. Vida from SUNY Downstate. PLAY BASKETBALL WITH THE NYPD TODAY 3:30 TO 6:30 PM OPENING FRIDAY Parkside Plaza Farmers Market Click here for location and.... OPENING SATURDAY Prospect Park Farmers Market  Click here for location Featuring Brooklyn's own Isabahlia Farms,  Mom and Pop's Natural Shop of Crown Heights and more.... Youth Soccer and Basketball Starts Today Registration Always Open. Register here or at the market! Hey, Mr. Long made it only a few blocks on the bike for Tour de Brooklyn! But our 340-lb Heavy Pedal Pusher has not given up his campaign for fresh food and fitness for kids! Join guests this week for fitness every day at the markets! Featuring Kaylan on Friday 12-3 - All ages!  Did you our markets this week in the news? Click here! See Brenda of Isabahlia Farms below. SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS? Yes! Sign up at the market or online here.

Dear Nancie,     Crown Heights Farmers Market opens today from 1-6 pm at Hamilton Metz Park. Please support our wonderful RH Farms, trucking in two hours from New Jersey. More growers join Fridays and Saturdays.   Enjoy also fresh 50-cent snacks from our Hip2B Healthy kids.       Kids! Play basketball today with the NYPD from 3:30 to 6:30 at the Crown Heights Market. Play soccer 3-6 pm. Parents, register here.      We have exciting plans for our markets, powered by summer youth! We start with sports today. We'll add tutoring, cooking demos and all kinds of healthy, family and community fun activities at our markets. We'll soon welcome back Jamerican Farms with Rodrick's callaloo. Welcome, this Saturday,  Isabahlia Farms of Brownsville, BROOKLYN! See photos of their farm here! Along with vegetables and plums, they'll have farm fresh eggs! Also - welcome Crown Heights' very own Chanel Cumberbatch with products from Mom and Pop's Natural Shop. Go, Brooklyn! More to come... Here's the markets flyer. Please print and hand out to all. Thursdays - Crown Heights, Hamilton Metz Park, 1-6  Fridays - Parkside Plaza at Parkside/Ocean Ave. 11-6   Saturdays - Prospect Park at Empire/Flatbush Ave. 9-5  Saturdays - Maybe Bed-Stuy! Stay tuned.                         GET FREE HEALTH BUCKS - $$$$ FOR FARMERS MARKETS DID YOU KNOW YOUR GROUP CAN GET up to $200 FREE HEALTH BUCKS TO SPEND AT FARMERS MARKETS? APPLY NOW at the NYC Dept. of Health. IT'S EASY. Call: 718-637-5220 or email: farmersmarket@health.nyc.gov  CLICK HERE FOR INFO. Share flyer with every school, community group, places of worship, summer schools, daycare centers, anyone you know! THANK YOU, GROSSE POINTE MEMORIAL CHURCH VOLUNTEERS, PS 770 AND PS 221 for the beautiful farmers market banners. Come see them & color them in! THANK YOU, Summer Youth Employment Program for sending us this wonderful young people to power our markets! You'll see them at the markets. We thank all our Soccer for Harmony - Crown Heights Cup players for a grand day of soccer. Who cares about the World Cup when you got the Crown Heights Cup? Viva, Argentina! (Okay: Go Germany, too! See us in New York Times here! See photos here! See us on Brooklyn News 12. Please donate. We really need it!  All donations go to all THREE farmers markets in Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts, plus our Hip2B Healthy youth programs. All for harmony and beauty ... not violence. SUMMER SPORTS  NYPD BASKETBALL TODAY FOR ALL KIDS - 3:30-6:30 pm Play soccer or basketball or.... join our first Basketball/Soccer Camp: ages 8-12 Come to markets to register or Call: 917-756-4202   Email: info@seedsinthemiddle.org.  Soccer: Thursday (today) 3 pm, Saturdays 1-3 pm, Sundays 4-6, pm, ages 3 & up, and Tuesdays 3 pm We can add Tues/Thu/Fri ams, on demand!  Basketball for grades 3, 4, 5, 6 - Tu., Th., Sat. 3:30-6:30 pm Information/Sign up here  Hamilton Metz Field - CLICK HERE FOR MAP  Also - print out paper registrations and bring them here. Here's a flyer of the schedule. Need Updates? Keep up with us. Like us on Facebook here.    You can also like each market on Facebook for updates.  You can still donate. Why pledge?    These words are from Mr. Solomon Long,  340 lbs. He got on a bike to ride for fresh food. Soon, Mr. Long will be leading a weekly walk every Thursday for farmers markets & programs for underserved kids and against violence.  Mr. Long is the retired principal of PS 91 in Crown Heights and he doesn't want kids today to grow up with NO access to fresh food or healthy activities so they die young from preventable diseases like diabetes and heart disease.   Read about Mr. Long here in the Daily News Donate here Our markets feature not fresh produce and activities to build community. EBT/SNAP, WIC, FMNP, Health Bucks accepted. For as little as $20, we'll feature your name on our banners at our markets. Pledge more and we'll blast your business.          Folks Take Action for Their Community! YES! For PS 221, they deserved more pre-K and thanks to the Dept. of Education, they got it!  They are seeking one more class! Sign online petition here for PS 221 and PS 161 Yes, we agree education and employment and healthy youth activities fight gun violence! Volunteers! We want you!   Help kids get engaged in positive, fun activities, eat well, go green, get fit, develop farmers markets. We have tutors for kids. That rocks. We want you. Sign up here.       Questions? Email us at info@seedsinthemiddle.org or call 917-756-4202. Thanks to Assemblyman Karim Camara, Prospect Park Alliance, NYC Dept. of Transportation, NYC Dept. of Parks, NYC Street Activities Permit Office, USDA, NY state Agriculture and Markets, City Councilwomen Laurie Cumbo and Darlene Mealy, Public Health Solutions, Chef Saul Bolton, all our chefs and gardeners, the summer youth and the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church volunteers of Michigan and all who are helping us in every which way to get our markets up and our kids active and healthy. We are so very, very grateful to you. See you at the markets and the field! Sincerely, Seeds in the Middle Crown Heights Soccer Eagles Seeds in the Middle - Crown Heights Soccer Eagles LIKE US ON FACEBOOK TWITTER: @seedsnmiddle and @soccer4harmony

Seeds in the Middle and Tour de Brooklyn in the News

See Daily News article here. 

How long can Mr. Long go? Tour de Brooklyn 2014

Solomon Long, retired principal of Crown Heights' P.S. 91, grew up in the projects on a diet of fast food and convenience stores. He doesn't want the same for the kids in his neighborhood.

So, he's riding in the Tour de Brooklyn on June 1. 

Bike for fresh food today with us - Registration opens May 14 and sells out within days.

Or bet on Mr. Long or out other riders here! Win a chance for a free lunch.

Join us - Call today at 917-697-3745

They're riding for farmers markets! Here they are!

Calling 100 Bicyclists! 120 Soccer Players! Move for Fresh Food! Open our Farmers Markets!

Seeds in the Middle invites  100 BICYCLISTS TOUR DE BROOKLYN -  JUNE 1    120 SOCCER PLAYERS Crown Hts Cup, Soccer for Harmony - June 8 Yes - Kids can do it, too! Ride, play soccer for kids! Youth Soccer - Sign up! Saturdays & Sundays  New! - YOUTH BASKETBALL! Thanks to Yale Club NYC, Johnny's Seeds, Transportation Alternatives... more....    When Friday April 11, 2014 at 1:00 PM EDT -to- Wednesday July 9, 2014 at 1:00 PM EDT Add to Calendar   510 Albany Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 Where   Hamilton Metz Field Albany and Lefferts Avenues Brooklyn, NY (Event Map)             Driving Directions     You're invited to empower kids to play ball, eat fresh, and get access to new nearby farmers markets. Sign up your children (ages 3 & up) for soccer, and youth basketball for grades 3-6.  You bike, play ball AND support healthy kids. We're raising food and fitness health experts.   Job openings! Minimum age: 4   Keep up with us. Like us on Facebook here.   Thank you, Transportation Alternatives,  for coveted spots in the popular 20-mile Tour de Brooklyn bike tour on June 1. Tickets go on sale May 14 and sell out in 48 hours! Hold your spot. Get pledges and reserve with us.  Wanted! 100 bicyclists! Read about it here. Thanks, DNAinfo!  Learn more about TA and tour here.  Register here for June 1st ride with us Wanted! 120 SOCCER PLAYERS Crown Hts Cup - Soccer for Harmony  Enjoy NYPD 71st Precinct Community Council Family Day and play ball. Sunday, June 8 - after 1 pm 7 v 7, $20 free agents - two free practices per team. Here's what biking and playing ball can do! Create FOUR farmers markets in underserved Brooklyn neighborhoods from Prospect Park at Empire Blvd. to Parkside Plaza in Prospect-Lefferts to Crown Heights to Bed-Stuy, maybe more.   See details on our flyer here. Our markets feature not fresh produce and activities to build community. EBT/SNAP, WIC, FMNP, Health Bucks accepted.    CLICK HERE to sign petition to urge electeds to fund us. Please donate here or we can't get markets up  - even $20!     THANK YOU, YALE CLUB CHEF KEHRLI for hosting PS 335 of central Brooklyn for an extraordinary tour and cooking class at the Yale Club, NYC.   See photos here! More to come!   Teen Dancers - Manhattan class  Designed for teens with little or no training.   Wednesdays 5:30-7 pm, 150 w. 46th St. Contact us. BK Youth Soccer, ages 3 & up  Hamilton Metz Field   Saturdays 1-3 pm Sundays 3-6 pm open May 18 Register, Info. Click here Our family-friendly, fun, active, learning clinics are led by skilled players and assisted by volunteers and parents. Follow blogspot here. See photos on Facebook here.  No experience necessary. Registration always open. Volunteer!  Help kids eat well, go green, get fit, develop farmers markets... Sign up here.       YOUTH BASKETBALL  Grades 3-6 at the courts at Hamilton Metz Field. Come to orientation on Tues., May 27, 3:30 pm, with Coach Jerome.   Register, Info. Click here Questions? Email us at info@seedsinthemiddle.org or call 917-756-4202. P.S. News from Seeds in the Middle   HIRING! Farmers Market Manager needed. Want  to help your community eat fresh? Contact us. BIKE for Good! Join our team for Tour de Brooklyn. Download our donor form here. Raise $300 per rider.  FARMERS MARKETS/FARMSTANDS: Want one in your neighborhood so kids and you can eat healthy, too? Email us at farmersmarket@seedsinthemiddle.org FOOD ARTISANS/FARMERS: We can sell and promote your brand & products. Contact us. RUN! Want to run/walk with kids or adults at our field on Saturdays/Sundays? Or at schools?   PREK- Believe underserved public schools deserve preK?Sign online petition here for PS 221 and PS 161.  Thanks to Johnny's Seeds for donating to our dear farmers, the Hildebrants at RH Farms, so they can grow more for us. Look forward to hearing from you or seeing you on the field!

Join Seeds in the Middle Martin Luther King Day of Service 2014 - 5k, Farmers Mkt, Oratory Contest

JOIN SEEDS IN THE MIDDLE FOR MLK Day of Service

      5k Walk/Run, Farmers Market, Oratory Contest!
This event is about empowering students in the obesity epidemic - the tale of the other city of the two cities - to create their own healthy environment.

• There are NO winter farmers markets in the obesity epidemic areas of central Brooklyn, Bronx and Harlem. 
• There are 25 in the wealthiest neighborhoods.
• We are changing that!
• See article in Daily News: Nutritionally, a Tale of Two Cities

      JOIN US AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 

•   BONE MARROW REGISTRY FOR 9/11 responder, retired NYPD Sgt. Wanda Davis 9a - 2p at PS 221
•   FARMERS MARKE, produce from more than a dozen DONATING farmers at PS 221 - 9:30 -2 pm
•   5k Walk/ Run against violence and for healthy kids from PS 221 to PARK SLOPE, BK - kids and   volunteers start at PS 221, Crown Hts (NOON) ending at Da Nonna Rosa Restaurant, 140 7th Av., BK
•   ORATORY CONTEST - I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH - 11:15 - dignitaries judges invited, 14 and under 

PRESS RELEASE HERE!

SPECIAL MLK DAY Jan. 20 EVENT in Crown Heights features first-ever 5k starting in Crown Heights obesity epidemic to Park Slope

-  Pop-Up winter Farmers Market in obesity epidemic

- "I Have a Dream" youth oratory contest by family of teen killed over iPod

AND bone marrow drive to find a match for 9/11 minority female responder with same disease as Robin Roberts

Brooklyn - Scores of volunteers - farmers, runners, college students, teens and more - from across the city are merging on a Crown Heights elementary school - Seeds in the Middle's first Hip2B Healthy School - on Jan. 20 to give kids in the obesity epidemic a chance at quality health and education. Seeds in the Middle, a small 501c3 charity.founded by a journalist and an African-American principal from Crown Heights, are staging the:

- first 5k family walk/run against violence and for healthy kids from PS 221 in Crown Heights to Park Slope's Da Nonna Restaurant

- Pop-up Farmers Market in highest need area - featuring generous farmers and growers like Tree Licious Orchards,Union Square Grassman (of Gowanus) and more (following Daily News column by Nancie Katz - Nutritionally a Tale of Two Cities

- Fun, healthy, active workshops for kids - dance, soccer, relays, tutoring and more - all led by volunteers!

- Oratory contest for ages 14 and under by Christopher Rose Community Empowerment Campaign

- Bone Marrow Registry to build minority pool for donors for sufferers of blood cancer, like 9/11 responder, retired NYPD Sgt. Wanda Davis - see bethematch.org

WHEN :Martin Luther King Day on Monday, Jan. 20 from 9:30 to 2 pm (and 3 pm at end of run at Da Nonna Rosa in Park Slope)

9:30 -10 am: Healthy breakfast 

10-1 : Fun workshops for kids

11:15 Oratory Contest of an abbreviated "I Have a Dream" speech

12: Run/walk starts: Here's the route!

 9-2 pm - Farmers Market and Bone Marrow Registry Drive

WHERE: PS 221, 791 Empire Boulevard between Troy and Schenectady, Brooklyn 11213 (train 3/4 to Utica Avenue)  RUN ENDS AT LA NONNA ROSA Restaurant between 1 and 3 pm in Park Slope

INFO: Email info@seedsinthemiddle.org or call 917-756-4202

LINK TO REGISTER WITH SCHEDULE: Here is the link to sign up.

 Here is the email newsletter, with links to the schedule of events

 Here is Facebook page to get updates..

Seeds in the Middle pilots holistic Hip2B Healthy schools, farmers markets and sports tournaments to give all children a chance to be healthy. We are  trying to raise funds to save programs in the obesity epidemic and open more farmers markets. Event is free. We are asking for pledges of $20 to support healthy programs for kids and open more farmers markets in the NYC obesity epidemic. Students in public schools can get 20% back for their own school programs. Volunteers are coming from St. Ann's School, Baruch College, New York University Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, Buildon.org, Americorps and just New Yorkers! 

American Apparel, Modells and chefs and farmers are sponsoring too.

Kind farmers are donating or coming to sell. We welcome more vendors, especially those who want to sell handmade items - jewelry, etc. See our newsletter to see the featured farmers:Damico Foods, Cato Corner Farm, Bread Alone,Union Square Grassman, Tree Licious Orchards, Race Farm, Beth's Farm Kitchen,Ronnybrook Farms, Lavender by the Bay, DiPaola Turkey (cooked on site), Raw Food Brooklyn,,Lynnhaven Goat Dairy , and more. Vendors - artisans, crafts, food - welcome!

This is truly an event when "little black boys and girls" will be holding hands with "little white boys and girls" - all to effect positive change, healthy kids and a greener, healthier environment for ALL New Yorkers - especially those in the highest-need areas like central Brooklyn, Bronx and Harlem.

Editors: please post event. Special possibilities for before event stories:

Seeking young minority men to register as bone marrow donors to potentially safe the life of a retired NYPD officer and 9/11 responder and others. They are her only hope.

We thank VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL OVER THE CITY FOR ORGANIZING THIS AND
: American Apparel, Modells, and the Big Apple Circus and all our chefs and restaurants.  Dr. Kracker, Union Square Grassman, Bread Alone, Cato Corner Farm, Damico Foods, Race Farm, Tree Licious Orchards, Beth's Farm Kitchen, and many more...   Da Nonna Rosa Restaurant - (718) 788-6225, for welcoming our walk/runners at the finish line.Great Food. Class Act. What more can I ask for? 

      Run4Fun Youth Running Club, a USATF youth running club, is dedicated to promoting self-esteem, confidence, team building, and fitness at each level. Run4Fun Youth Running Club - empowering youth through running! Thanks, Nicoletta, for designing the route and more.

Here's our Modells' 15% off coupon!

Students, families and educators are joining the Walk Out the Knockout Color Run/Walk to support Seeds in the Middle. They Run2B Healthy.

Let's surpass the $5,000 to get underprivileged, deserving kids an array of educational, arts and health programs. We've got only 9 days to show you care! Donate now at https://www.youcaring.com/walkoutknockout

Seeds in the Middle, named by fourth graders, inspires parents, educators, students and their community to access all opportunities for well-being, quality education and greening their environment. We are joyful, respectful, educational and engaging. We nurture the whole child.

Our community is appalled at stories about the so-called Knockout Game, depicted in the media as violent African-American teens randomly punching vulnerable pedestrians.

Some folks brand the so-called "Knockout Game" as an urban myth. Well, urban myth or not, public school students are stepping up to show they do NOT support violence and seek successful, productive futures. They blast such criminal actions as "disgraceful" and "pathetic."

They're asking you to sponsor them so they can get affordable, positive school and after-school programs in their neighborhoods that keep kids safe and off the streets.

Seeds in the Middle offers comprehensive, anti-obesity packages to schools, focusing on our most underserved children, families and faculties. We empower and educate everyone to get healthy and scale disparities. Students are the actors who create their own nourishing, green, quality environments. We are the bridge!

Our event starts at Seeds in the Middle's first Hip2B Healthy school - PS 221 in Crown Heights, a neighborhood with one of New York City’s highest obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates.

Seeds in the Middle is the proud founder of two farmers markets in underserved central Brooklyn, creating easy, affordable access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

We also sponsor Soccer for Harmony youth and adult tournaments. We are proud to boast that our focus 4th grade class in 2012 surpassed citywide average scores on standardized tests!

At Seeds in the Middle, we teach how to grow, how to market, how to access and prepare nutritious food, how to exercise, how to engage in the arts, all the elements needed to promote life-changing lifelong health.

Our partners come from all walks of life: chefs, athletes, educators, artists, builders and more. We cross cultures. We transform gray into green, destitution into inspiration.

Your funds will give children the chance to:

• Grow Edible Gardens
• Run a Hip2B Healthy school market selling nutritious snacks for as little as 50 cents
• Cook healthy with master chefs at school and serve their parents and grandparents!
• Get fit with soccer, running, dance and more
• Enjoy classes where professional partners coach teachers and students to integrate all of these hands-on joyful lessons into common core curriculum in math, science, literacy, social studies and more.

Seeds in the Middle is a 501c3 charity so donations are tax-deductible. We are very small, but our students are leading the way to greater accompishments.

We are model for replication for any school. Our youth prove their star quality everyday. Please support them and pledge now! Feel free to contact us!

Join first Crown Heights Color Run/Walk on December 7th!

BROOKLYN CROWN HEIGHTS SOCCER IS BACK!

TRYOUTS ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY - 11/9, 11/10
Play soccer and walk/run with us: Nov. 9 - Dec. 7

Registration Always Open! Everyone Welcome! Stay tuned for first-ever Crown Heights Walk-Run! Great news! The Fall and Winter Recreational League featuring intramural  teams for youth ages 4-14 years old is back! The league meets weekly after-school on Tuesdays and Thursdays and on weekends in a fun learning environment, coached by professional coaching staff assisted by adult volunteers. Each session features a short clinic and game that teaches fundamental techniques in soccer. No experience is necessary. Curriculum and playing formats have been designed and developed based on best practices and recommendations from international soccer coaching organizations.  TRYOUTS  will be held this weekend so make sure you show up! Bring friends, family. Let's form teams!    Age groups will be created after the tryouts and scheduled groups will start on the week of November 11. Please RSVP with the form below or show up to the field on the following days and times: TUESDAY: 3:30 - 5:30 pm THURSDAY: 3:30 - 5:30 pm SATURDAY: 2 - 5 pm SUNDAY: 2 - 5 pm   The soccer league will meet from November 9 to December 8.      Are you a runner or walker?  Want a fun way to get fit?  Join us for the first-ever Crown Heights Color Walk/Run, tentatively set for December 7th. Families, want to train with runners?  Teens, Adults: Volunteer to run with kids! Training starts Saturday, 11/9 - this weekend at 2 pm. More info? Email us at info@seedsinthemiddle.org  Click on the link to register for soccer or RSVP.

Register Now!

Questions? Email us at soccer@seedsinthemiddle.org or leave a message at 917-756-4202. Want updates? Like Seeds in the Middle on Facebook here! We look forward to hearing from you and engaging you and your children for another soccer season and our first-ever Run/Walk too! And, yes, we are looking for indoor winter space!