The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.
Mission
The UN Food Gardens initiative is a voluntary UN staff initiative that aims to establish food gardens on the premises of UN Headquarters and Offices. Our aim is to help the UN translate global priorities related to sustainable food systems and greener cities into action and lead by example. The initiative has inspired staff in other duty stations to establish gardens in Lebanon, Copenhagen and soon in Rome!
Goals
The initiative provides opportunities for UN staff, delegates, and other members of the UN community to grow and share vegetables, herbs, and fruits from different parts of the world; to share knowledge; and to relax and enjoy the sight of a beautiful, diverse edible garden. Info panels throughout the garden describe the various plants and communicate the work that the garden and partners of the initiative are doing to promote sustainable urban food production and food security. We also work diligently with involving Youth in our efforts, promote organic food production, uplift the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other Global priorities as well as build strong partnerships.
01.
–Organic production
We use organic gardening techniques inspired by permaculture and a whole-system approached. Using techniques that benefit soil health, stimulate pollinators and beneficial insects. We grow with the season, reusing ‘browns and greens’ from the garden and make our own local compost.
02.
– Sustainable
We aim to translate global priorities related to food security and sustainable development into practical actions and frequently use the Food Garden as a space to highlight sustainable methods and techniques from other parts of the globe. Such as lifting small-scale farming techniques in partnership with IFAD.
03.
–Partnerships
We build partnership with other UN entities, the City of New York and local sustainability actors as well as platform other food gardens in our Feed Your City exhibit. Aimed at lifting local gardening efforts in the Americas, we highlighted their work of promoting the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the New Urban Agenda.
04.
– Youth engagement
We invite young gardeners for annual gathering discussing issues concerning ‘glocal’ food production, food security and sustainability. We also facilitate space for youth to talk directly with representative from Member States; Agencies such as WFP, FAO and IFAD; City Representatives and other stakeholders such as the IRC.