Shortening the Distance from Farm to Fork: Meet Queens County Farm Museum

The Whole Cities Community First Grant Program supports nonprofits focused on fresh, healthy food access and nutrition education that are engaged with Whole Foods Market Team Members. This includes community gardens, mobile markets and healthy cooking classes. By funding nonprofits engaged with WFM Team Members, the program enhances local partnerships and strengthens the impact on local communities.

Meet Community First Grant partner, Queens County Farm Museum, located in Queens, NY. As one of the oldest continuously farmed sites in New York State, the farm cultivates 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables, maintains the largest apiary in NYC, houses a range of livestock and promotes community composting.

Queens County Farm Museum has received a Community First Grant in 2021, 2022 and 2023, supporting their ongoing mission. They are shortening the distance from farm to fork through their on-site farm store, off-site farmstands, and their Farm-to-Table Wellness Program.

With the help of dedicated volunteers, including WFM Team Members, Queens County Farm Museum has harvested over 23,000 pounds (about the weight of a school bus) of food and collected 3,500 dozen eggs in just one year, significantly contributing to the community's food security and sustainability.

Watch the Community First Grant in action as the Queens County Farm Museum works to make fresh food more accessible and build a stronger local food system: