We’re excited to share that CSF’s Dr. Pamela Koch and her team have published a new article examining how community-driven food initiatives can advance both equity and climate resilience. The lead author is Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters and this study would not have been possible without Carolina Saavedra.

The study, Evaluating a Community-Based Intervention to Advance Food Equity and Climate Resilience in the South Bronx: Findings from the LEAF Program, explores the first two years of the LEAF program, a partnership connecting residents with regeneratively grown produce, home-gardening support, and culturally responsive nutrition education. Developed through collaboration between community organizations, educators, and researchers, the program was designed to reshape how food systems operate within historically under-resourced neighborhoods. 

Across two years of participation, families reported meaningful changes in everyday food practices. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased, comfort with growing food rose substantially, and enrollment in nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP nearly doubled. Participants also described stronger relationships with local food sources and greater confidence in navigating food access in their communities. Overall, the research highlights the importance of integrated approaches that link education, local agriculture, and community trust. By pairing regular produce distribution with learning, hands-on growing, and neighborhood partnerships, the program functioned as both a public health intervention and a climate-aligned strategy, pointing toward models that strengthen agency and resilience at the household level. Read the full publication here.