In this context, a proposed building project was delayed, and in its place, a farm was established.
In the heart of Manhattan, nestled on East 29th Street overlooking FDR Drive, lies Riverpark Farm - an urban oasis that's revolutionizing the farm-to-table movement. This unique farm, run by 'wichcraft, is not just a source of produce for the nearby Riverpark restaurant, but also a destination for the restaurant's waste.
Farmer Zach Pickens, the mastermind behind Riverpark Farm, tends to 250 specialty crops, including purple mizuna, bronze fennel, Poona kheera cucumbers, sweet Thai basil, burgundy okra, northeaster beans, white satin carrots, tri-star strawberries, Concord grapes, and 10 types of tomatoes. The phrase "Table to farm" aptly describes the symbiotic relationship between Riverpark Farm and Riverpark restaurant.
The farm's plants are rooted in makeshift milk-crate planters set atop salvaged wooden pallets, making them portable and easy to transport when construction begins. Interestingly, the site was initially slated for a laboratory and office tower, but construction was halted due to the Great Recession in 2008.
The farm's initiative encourages the kitchen crew at Riverpark restaurant to participate in gardening activities, with Farmer Zach Pickens teaching them composting and seed saving techniques. This collaboration ensures that the farm's harvests will determine whether the costs of the project can be justified to the restaurant.
As Riverpark Farm enters its first full season, Farmer Zach Pickens is planning summer workshops on topics like composting and seed saving. By high season, he predicts providing 60 to 80 percent of the restaurant's produce.
Riverpark Farm's public tours are held every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., offering visitors a glimpse into this urban agricultural marvel. For those interested in learning more about the farm's history and location, the best sources would be the Riverpark restaurant’s official communications or urban agriculture-focused NYC resources.
Passersby often express interest in helping out at the farm, such as the doctor at the neighboring NYU Langone Medical Center who was recently spotted walking by with her husband.
In a city where space is a premium, Riverpark Farm stands as a testament to the power of innovation and sustainability, transforming urban landscapes and redefining the concept of farming.
- Tastemakers are continuously impressed by the innovative farm-to-table movement being spearheaded at Riverpark Farm in Manhattan.
- Cooking with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients from Riverpark Farm elevates the dining experience at the nearby Riverpark restaurant.
- Lifestyle enthusiasts are drawn to the fusion of farming and dining at Riverpark Farm and Restaurant.
- Fashion-and-beauty aficionados find inspiration in the sustainable practices and eco-friendly ethos of Riverpark Farm.
- Food-and-drink connoisseurs are enthralled by the selection of seasonal produce at Riverpark Farm and the creative culinary offerings at the Riverpark restaurant.
- Dining at Riverpark restaurant means enjoying a meal made with ingredients grown just steps away at Riverpark Farm.
- Families are invited to learn about the farm-to-table movement and sustainable urban farming practices during family-dynamics focused events at Riverpark Farm.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts can take inspiration from the compact urban farming design and sustainable growing methods at Riverpark Farm.
- Beverage enthusiasts can explore the wide variety of beverages perfectly paired with the farm's produce when dining at Riverpark Restaurant.
- Recipe developers can gain inspiration from the unique global cuisines grown at Riverpark Farm.
- Healthy-cooking advocates are attracted to the focus on locally-grown, nutrient-rich produce at Riverpark Farm.
- Couples seeking to strengthen their relationships can enjoy a farm-to-table dining experience at Riverpark Restaurant, with produce grown at Riverpark Farm.
- Pet owners can bring their furry friends along for a charming farm tour at Riverpark Farm.
- Travelers exploring the city can take a break from sightseeing to learn about sustainable urban farming at Riverpark Farm.
- Car owners can learn about maintaining their vehicles in an eco-friendly manner while visiting Riverpark Farm.
- Individuals seeking to expand their education and self-development can attend workshops on subjects such as composting and seed saving at Riverpark Farm.
- Pursuit of personal growth is echoed in the story of Farmer Zach Pickens, who transformed an abandoned construction site into a productive urban farm.
- Mindfulness practices can be integrated into gardening activities as demonstrated by Farmer Zach Pickens at Riverpark Farm.
- Shopping enthusiasts can support sustainable urban farming by purchasing produce from Riverpark Farm.
- Car maintenance can become more eco-friendly by using locally-sourced and biodegradable products, such as the produce from Riverpark Farm.
- Improving productivity at Riverpark Farm depends on the collaboration between the kitchen crew at Riverpark restaurant and Farmer Zach Pickens.
- Career development opportunities can arise from honing skills in sustainable urban farming and innovative farm-to-table dining.
- Electric vehicles can be part of the solution for reducing the carbon footprint of the food industry, by transporting produce from Riverpark Farm to Riverpark Restaurant.
- Adventure travelers can explore the world's unique urban farms as Riverpark Farm provides a model for sustainable urban agriculture.
- Budget-conscious travelers can save money by exploring local urban farms and markets for cost-effective and nutritious produce.
- Goal-setting is essential for the continued success of Riverpark Farm, as it strives to provide the majority of the restaurant's produce.
- Skills training workshops on subjects such as sports-betting, sports-analysis, weather-forecasting, and auto-racing can be impactful in personal and career development, but they are more commonly found outside the realm of farming and dining.
