Over the last few weeks, we’ve been following the Brooklyn Do Gooders contest, particularly the food-related nominees, which include civic minded Clinton Hill brewers, an East Flatbush food advocate and a Windsor Terrace gardener. Run by the Brooklyn Community Foundation, “the first and only community foundation devoted exclusively to the people of Brooklyn,” the contest involves folks just like you (anyone can participate) nominating and voting for folks just like you (if you lived in Brooklyn) who are doing good in their borough or beyond. The winners receive $5,000 to donate to a Brooklyn nonprofit of their choice. Changing the world around you (through what you eat and drink) is a concept that we at Edible find a certain solidarity in. So, in the interest of steering that 5k to better food for every corner of the borough, here are a few nominees to consider. Voting ends this Friday, Oct 15 at www.DoGoodRightHere.org.
Sudsy Samaritan. We sometimes wonder how Kelly Taylor and wife Sonya Giacobbe find the time to do so much good, what with their active family, community involvement (like pouring beer at our recent Chelsea Market Festival of the 11 Ingredients) and growing brewery, which is called Kelso of Brooklyn. Taylor, who also brews the beer for Heartland Brewery, tells us that he and his wife hope to donate the $5000 to the nearby church food pantry. Vote for Taylor at www.dogoodrighthere.org/campaigns/78.
EcoFairs in East Flatbush. Zenobia McNally, an East Flatbush resident of and community activist, has been increasing access to affordable, healthy food and promoting environmentalism through her community garden and EcoFairs. Vote for McNally at www.dogoodrighthere.org/campaigns/65.
Cafeteria-Classroom in Cobble Hill. Teacher Tina Aprea-Reres started a garden in the school yard, using it to teach science and use the harvest in the school cafeteria. Vote for Aprea-Reres at www.dogoodrighthere.org/campaigns/95.
East New York Beekeeper. Gemma Garcia is an avid gardener, a passionate community educator, an excited beekeeper, and a dedicated open space advocate in her neighborhood, East New York, Brooklyn. Vote for Garcia at www.dogoodrighthere.org/campaigns/81.
