Hunker down New Yorkers! According to the National Weather Service they are anticipating high winds and heavy rain for tomorrow. So, sadly, we will not have our final Farm Stand. We have enjoyed the season and thank all of you that have visited and shopped at the market! Feel free to contact Kassy Nystrom, Food Access Initiatives Program Manger at the MARP office with any questions, concerns or suggestions for next year's market - 718-230-1689 or kassy@myrtleavenue.org.

We hope that those who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy will have a safe and dry place to be tomorrow. Warm, dry and safe wishes to all!

The following information was shared by Hunger Solutions - If you lost food purchased with SNAP benefits due to Hurricane Sandy, there is help available. Current SNAP households that have lost food purchased with their benefits as a result of the storm are entitled to replacement benefits.

Q - What do I need to do?

A - If you are a current SNAP recipient and live in Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan or Westchester counties, or one of 77 zip codes in New York City that experienced extended power loss, including all of Staten Island, partial replacement SNAP benefits will automatically be deposited in your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account beginning next week. A complete list of zip codes in New York City that are included can be found here . Additional zip codes in New York City may be added as more power loss information becomes available.

Q - How much are these replacement SNAP benefits worth?

A - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has agreed to provide current SNAP recipients in these areas with 50% of their October monthly benefit amount.

Q - What if I don’t live in one of the areas receiving the automatic benefit replacement?

You can still request replacement SNAP benefits from your local department of social services by following these steps:

- You must report the loss of food purchased with SNAP benefits to your local social services office by Wednesday, November 28, 2012, either verbally or in writing.
- You must then return a signed and completed form, found at otda.ny.gov/programs/applications/2291.pdf, by close of business on Monday, December 10, 2012. The form is also available at local social services offices.
- You must then return and sign a completed “Request for Replacement of Food Purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits” form by close of business Monday, December 10, 2012.

There are two versions of this form – you may use either version if you live in a county outside of New York City. If you live in New York City, you are asked to use the LDSS-2291A form. To access that form in English Click here . Versions of this form in other languages may be found at here .

You may also follow these steps if you live in Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan or Westchester counties, or one of 77 zip codes in New York City, and need more than you are automatically provided.

Q – How do I find my local social services office?

To find your local department of social services, visit here , or call 1-800-342-3009.

Q - Will receiving the replacement SNAP benefits affect my November monthly SNAP benefit amount?

No, you will still receive the same monthly benefit amount you normally receive in November, and you will receive your benefits on the same day of the month that you normally receive your benefits.

Q – Can I use my SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods and prepared foods?

A – Current SNAP recipients in these seven counties and in all of New York City are now able to use their benefits to purchase hot foods and prepared foods.

Q – Where can I use my SNAP benefits to purchase hot or prepared food?

A - The food must be purchased at authorized retailers, like grocery stores, that already accept your SNAP benefit card (your Electronic Benefit Transfer – EBT – card).

Q – For how long may I use my SNAP benefits to purchase hot or prepared food?

From now until November 30, 2012.

Q – What if my store doesn’t know that I can use my SNAP benefits to purchase hot or prepared food?

A – New York State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are working on informing retailers of this new policy. If you encounter a retailer who isn’t aware of the new policy, please ask them to call 1-800-342-3009 for more information.

The Fort Greene Greenmarket, located at Washington Park btw DeKalb & Willoughby, will be open regular hours 8AM-4PM this Saturday but there will be NO food scrap collection or textiles collection. For a city-wide listing of Greenmarket status for the weekend visit the GrowNYC Blog .

The storm has left our farmer farm bound but thankfully the land and crops did not get too beat up by Hurricane Sandy. We will see you next week, November 7th 4-7PM, for a final farm stand of the season. Come say goodbye for the season and support our regional farmers to help soften the financial blow Hurricane Sandy has punched.

Join us for our 3rd annual Harvest Fest tomorrow, Wednesday, 10/24/12 from 4-7PM on the corner of North Portland and Myrtle Avenues! We will also be celebrating Food Day, a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food! There will be FREE mini-pumpkins for the kids*, face painting from 4:30-6:45, and Myrtle Eats Fresh Community Chefs Millie and Michelle will prepare kid friendly, healthy recipes for all to taste! And, of course, you can stock up on local fruits and veggies from J. Glebocki Farms, Tilapia from VertiCulture Aquaponics, Raspberry Jam & Mighty Hot Pepper Jelly from Beth's Farm Kitchen via Farmer's Web and Maple Syrup from Poorfarm Farm

We accept EBT/WIC/Health Bucks/cash!

Event Special: spend $6 or more and get $2 of free produce!

*while supplies last

The Brooklyn Food Coalition (BFC) has organized a conversation titled "Moving Toward Race in the Food Justice Movement" between the NYC food justice community and Malik Yakini , Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, Detroit Food Policy Council and a 2012 James Beard Foundation Awardee, Lorrie Clevenger with Black Urban Gardeners and Why Hunger and Daisy Chung , Executive Director of Restaurant Opportunity Center.

The conversation will address the questions:

• How do we create a food movement that is lead by the food justice movement?
• How do we ensure that the food justice movement lifts the leadership and ideas of those most a?ected by the present food system?
• How do we tell the story of the history and present day reality of the food system that illuminates the e?ects of racism?

When: Friday, October 19th, 5-8 pm

Where: The Pantry, 407 Lewis Avenue at Decatur St., Bed-Stuy, C/A to Utica Avenue, B 25, 26, 15

$25 for BFC members - become a member today by clicking here
$35 for non-BFC members

Small bites included and affordable cash bar. All proceeds are donated to the Brooklyn Food Coalition.

Don't miss this important conversation and networking opportunity! Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

As part of their 30th anniversary, and to celebrate World Food Day, The Hunger Action Network of New York State (HANNYS) is hosting many events around the state to honor the work of the many who have dedicated themselves to eliminating hunger and poverty. HANNYS is "a membership-based network that represents 200 community-based organizations and low-income individuals throughout New York State with a direct stake in ensuring equitable income and food policies." To learn more about their work visit here .

The NYC event will take place on World Food Day - Tuesday, October 16th at 310 W. 43rd St., Manhattan, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

The NYC "cream of the crop" that will be honored are: Bill DiFazio,Doreen Wohl, the Welfare Rights Initiative,the Brooklyn Food Coalition and the United Food Commercial Workers Union. To learn more about these individuals and organizations click here.

Enjoy light refreshments from local purveyors and chefs, New York State wines and micro brews, and DJ Shomi Noise! To purchase tickets or donate to Hunger Action Network click here.

For information about the event, contact(212) 741-8192 or visit their website here .

Stop by the Fort Greene Greenmarket this Saturday between 11AM- 1PM to have a taste of Myrtle Eats Fresh Chef Roisin's farm fresh, healthy recipe! If you like what you taste (which we know you will!) you can take a recipe and purchase the ingredients right there at the market!

The Fort Greene Greenmarket is located along the southeast corner of Fort Greene Park on Washington Park between Dekalb and Willoughby from 8AM - 5PM year-round every Saturday.

The Greenmarket accepts EBT/Food Stamps, Debit/Credit, and WIC & FMNP checks accepted. EBT/Debit/Credit accepted 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. In addition, Health Bucks are now available - for every $5 spent in EBT, customers receive a $2 Health Buck coupon to purchase additional fruits and vegetables!

The Myrtle Eats Fresh Community Chef Program includes a diverse group of 15 local residents who share the goal of improving the health of their neighbors by providing easy, nutritious, and affordable recipes. All chefs have completed 20+ hours of training and have conducted cooking demos at local farmer’s markets, community events, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distribution sites. If you are interested in having a Community Chef at your event, please contact us at 718-230-1689 or kassy@myrtleavenue.org!

Join the Greene Hill Food Co-op for food, kids activities, dancing and more at their 2012 Fall Celebration, co-hosted by Bed-Stuy’s own Sound Liberation Front (SLF)!

Who? Everyone in the neighborhood, even if you’re not a Member of the Co-op!
What’s it Cost? Nothing! It’s FREE!
When? Saturday, October 6, from noon to 6pm. (Rain date Oct. 13)
Where? Our backyard, at 18 Putnam Av.

This is also a great opportunity for non-members to come check-out the co-op and, for this day only, shop at the store! Come see first-hand why you should become a member!

For more information click here.

On Wednesday we debuted beautiful Chinese cabbage, peppers, basil and Swiss Chard courtesy of pilot project VertiCulture, an aquaponics growing system located on the roof of 33 Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn. The Farm Stand will continue to feature their products - the Tilapia is coming soon! To learn more about VertiCulture and aquaponics growing click here and visit the Farm Stand every Wednesday 4-7PM at Myrtle & N. Portland Avenues to purchase farm fresh food!