2. Problem Statement
Millions of citizens are restricted by their socioeconomic
status or their location in urban food deserts making
sustainable access to healthy food nearly impossible.
PROBLEM COMPONENTS
• Lack of interdisciplinary collaboration/knowledge
• Lack of cross-cultural exposure/knowledge
• Geographic & socioeconomic restrictions
3. Solution
Collaborative Urban Agriculture
When food is grown and produced within
cities, particularly in low-income areas, communities not
only become more engaged and empowered by
becoming active participants of the food distribution
system, but cities become more sustainable, and
residents’ health improves.
4. Theory of Change
Facilitating access to sustainable food sources in our cities
creates a ripple effect that helps to address health,
poverty, and environmental issues.
6. Budget
Item Cost Estimate
Platform Development $12,000
Student Service Travel Expenses $2,000
Coordinator Travel Expenses $6,000
Administrative Overhead $2,500
Advertising/Promotional Materials $2,500
Outreach $5,000
TOTAL $30,000
Potential Funders
• Hult Prize
• NYU Green Grants
• Global Ideas Exchange
7. Rootstock Team
Team
• Laura Manley, Founder
• Jacqueline Burton, Urban Agriculturalist
• David Margolis, International Education Specialist
Advisors
• Ted Bongiovanni, Director of NYU Distance Learning
• Shankar Prasad, Policy Professor at NYU Wagner
• Matthew Hoffman, Urban Agriculture Professor at NYU
Food Studies Dept.