Who We Are

We aim to cultivate community and residential gardens, distribute fresh produce, and educate residents about the interconnections of food and community.

Who We Are

The Newburgh Farm and Food Initiative is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to build a just and resilient food system that improves the environment and health of the community in the City of Newburgh.

By providing assistance to residents in building community gardens and offering youth education + employment programs, informative workshops, and volunteer opportunities at the Downing Park Urban Farm, NUFFI empowers residents to take ownership of their own lives, health, and community.

NUFFI is also proud to be part of Newburgh's emergency food response, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since June 2020, NUFFI has donated over 50,000 pounds of fresh, local produce to pantries and emergency food services and will continue to donate a portion of our urban farm harvests to feed our community members for as long as needed.

Discover how you can help.

The Newburgh Urban Farm and Food Initiative (NUFFI) has successfully completed its fifth season at Downing Park Urban Farm, continuing its commitment to community welfare and urban agriculture. This year, NUFFI donated thousands of pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries, offered affordable produce bags and flower bouquets, and engaged youth in agricultural education programs. The organization is also wrapping up a comprehensive survey of Newburgh residents, bodegas, and restaurants to better understand local food needs.

Let's rewind to 2015, the year we began our mission to rejuvenate Newburgh’s green spaces. Thanks to a HUD Community Development Block Grant, the City had big dreams of reviving the old, forgotten greenhouses to beautify our park and draw more folks to the area. Sadly, nature had other plans. The greenhouses, once a symbol of growth and beauty, were lost to time and termites.

But, as you know, Newburgh doesn't back down from a challenge!

The focus shifted from greenhouses to a broader, bolder vision: an Urban Farm in the middle of the City. It was a new concept for many, but the success of community gardens and urban farms in other cities inspired us. They weren't just growing food; they were growing communities.

By 2016, the Newburgh Urban Farm and Food Initiative (NUFFI) was born.

Our mission?

To cultivate community and residential gardens, nourish Newburgh with fresh produce, and educate about food's vital role in community building.

Fast forward to 2018, and NUFFI was flourishing at the Downing Park Urban Farm. Thanks to a wonderful team and incredible volunteers, we were not just farming but creating a beacon of hope and health, distributing thousands of pounds of fresh produce to local pantries and markets, and engaging our youth in meaningful work.

Then, 2020 struck. COVID-19 hit, and everything changed. But in adversity, we found our true strength. We donated all our produce to local pantries, turning the farm into a vital hub for food donations and distribution. We provided a safe haven for our youth, offering them employment and the chance to bring fresh food home to their families.

This was a defining moment for NUFFI, shaping our future path.

Yet, the pandemic also highlighted an ongoing crisis: food insecurity in Newburgh, deeply intertwined with racial and social justice. Emergency feeding programs were overwhelmed, and those in need often had little say in what they received, and some didn’t have access to cooking tools or refrigeration.

In 2021, with new funding from the USDA Urban Agriculture Innovative Production grant program and NY Health Foundation, we took a bold step to reassess Newburgh's food system. We're now on a mission to transform how our community accesses healthy, culturally appropriate food, maintaining dignity and security for our most vulnerable residents.

This year, 2024, is crucial. The NUFFI Board, staff, and the Food Project Task Force are determined to continue sustainable plans for the Downing Park Urban Farm and our city's food system.

Our Team - It takes a lot of people to keep NUFFI going & growing!

We're in this together, Newburgh.

We cannot fail. Your support, your hard work, and your belief in our vision are what drives us forward.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we're not just growing food; we're growing a stronger and healthier community in the City of Newburgh.