Our Story
Local Roots NYC is dedicated to creating a more convenient connection between New York City and their farms. We are New York City residents who have been on both ends of CSA – both as members receiving food and as the coordinator at the farm. Through these experiences, we have created an alternative CSA model that we hope better serves the lives of New Yorkers and saves our farmers from a lot the logistical work of a CSA; some have said we are the new generation of CSA.
We also provide weekly recipes to compliment the CSA and other tips that makes cooking at home easier. Local Roots NYC hosts a bimonthly Supper Club that sources from our CSA share and a yearly music and food festival to develop our community and to promote local food and home cooking. If we had to state our mission statement in one sentence, it would be that exploring local food has made our lives happier and better and we hope to share this joy with others.
Wen-Jay Ying
Program Director
After reading an article on the decrease of supermarkets in New York City and therefore an increased dependency on purchasing food at bodegas, Wen-Jay became involved in food justice. She participated in Americorp VISTA as a CSA Resource Associate at Just Food. Post VISTA, she joined Red Jacket Orchards where she started the first fruit only CSA in NYC and facilitated a partnership with Six Point Craft Ales to create a plum-infused beer. Wen-Jay is usually with her side kick dog, Wuji, and plays in three bands: The Honey Dos, Eskalators, and Archipelago.
Amanda Rodi
Logo Design
An occasional freelancer, Ms. Rodi currently serves as an art director for a small ad agency in Chelsea. She produces quality work, with designs that are fresh, conceptual, and strategic. If you’re interested in utilizing Ms. Rodi’s talents, drop her a line at amandarodi@gmail.com and be sure to check out her other work at BusyBeeRodi.com. Don’t worry, she doesn’t sting.
Read more about Local Roots, how we got started, and our first year journey in the following blogs:
Hurricanes, Panic Attacks and Crowd Surfing: Behind the Scenes at the Local Roots CSA
Freedom, Variety & Pickup Parties: Wen-Jay Ying Serves Up Local Roots – A New Kind of CSA
Impact of Hurricane Irene still felt on local New York farms
Local Roots NYC at the Five Month Mark
In Pictures: LocalRootsNYC Supper Club with I8NY
A CSA with the Freedom of Choice: Local Roots NYC