Earth Matter NY, Inc.

FORT GREENE COMPOST PROJECT – FGCP

Do you live in Ft. Greene, Clinton Hill, or  the Downtown Brooklyn area? Do you know about  the    residential food waste drop off at the Ft.  Greene Farmer’s Market? This community  based,  volunteer organized program, now in it’s 5^th year, collects over 1500 lbs of  residential  food waste  every Saturday from 8:30 – noon at DeKalb Ave. and Washington  Park  (Cumberland). The waste is  distributed locally for  composting.

Ever wonder about what to put or not o put in the FGCP compost bins at the Ft. Greene  Market? Or,  how YOU can help the composting process along in your home and habits?

The twigs that are less than the diameter of  your finger, are ok, if they, along with all  your greens, are chopped up smaller than the  size of an outstretched hand. The smaller  the  pieces, the better, for accelerating the  decomposition process.

Breaking root balls apart into small sections  is also helpful to do before bringing to the  market. A whole root ball does not easily break down.

And the apple? You say “of course” it’s good to include.

And yes, of course it’s  good, BUT think of your    own skin. It keeps  everything in your body,   blood,   organs, etc.  from falling out right?

If the  apple’s skin or  any fruit or vegetables  –  acorn  squash, lemons, what about a coconut? If it is  not cut open before putting it into the bin at FGCP then it stays in  its original stage, inhibiting the   bacteria and fungi from being able to begin the break down process. As  all the decomposing food around the apple is breaking down, we pull out whole fruit and veggies that  were overlooked.

Volunteers otherwise have to spend a lot of time chopping your old veggies and separating and rejecting  sticks and twigs that are too large. Other mistaken compost submissions:  please, no dairy, fish or meat products.  

We prefer not to take compostable flatware and cups even though they are compostable.

Please take all compost out of all bags and containers, take off all stickers, elastic bands and ties. This is very helpful to everyone who volunteers to make the compost.

Thanks so very much!

New and return volunteers are warmly welcomed. And needed! To learn more about the FGCP and sign up through email to volunteer at the market to oversee the drop off service or to turn some of this compost in one of the participating community garden, please visit the Ft Green Compost. blogspot.com or come by the Market on a Saturday morning.

Fort Greene Compost Project – A history - Over four years ago, in 2005, a small group of compost minded community gardeners envisioned a neighborhood waste reduction program via a voluntary residential food waste drop off site at the Ft. Greene Farmer’s Market. The original concept called for farmers to take the scraps back to the farm, with local commnity gardeners taking some as desired. The initial volume, however, was insufficient to interest the farmers. The logistical issues of hauling food waste and fresh produce in the same truck were also a problem. Instead, a rotating schedule of four community gardeners was established and scraps were hauled in a wheelbarrow.

In 2006, the Citizen’s Committee for NYC funded the purchase of an industrial tricycle to haul the increasing volume.

By mid 2008, it was felt the increasing volume (then over 750 lbs) would overwhelm the established system. FGCP entered into a collaboration with Added Value to compost at Red Hook Community Farm in spring 2009.  Two garden sites were also added to the rotating schedule, and one garden withdrew to pursue local neighbor and gardener drop off.

Current volume (over 1500lbs) and  hauling distances require the use of a  truck, which is sometimes donated  usage, and sometimes a rental. The trike  is still used for short hauls.

This has meant expenses beyond sundry items. After a surevey of participants, a voluntary donation of $1. per drop off was introduced in fall 2009 to wide acceptance.

The funds also provide incentive for two farms (Rexcroft and Conuco) to take a small portion of the  waste. Some of the materials have also been diverted to volunteers working large backyard compost  systems.

Currently, participating gardens are Carlton Avenue Bears Community Garden, Prospect Heights  Com. Farm, the Secret Garden, and Woodbine St. Block Assoc. Com. Garden.

Although currently funded exclusively by user donations, these dozens of volunteers enjoy the  support of Grow NYC Greenmarket and the appreciation of the wider community.