Brooklyn Grange scales back rooftop farming as workers push for contract

Yulin L.

Brooklyn Grange scales back rooftop farming as workers push for contract
Crates of vegetables are set out for a CSA pickup at Brooklyn Grange’s Sunset Park rooftop farm, circa 2023. Photo by Yulin L.

Brooklyn Grange announced the closure of its leased farm operations, including the 3.2-acre rooftop farm atop the Liberty View building in Sunset Park.

In an Instagram post, the company said it can no longer operate its leased farms at the same capacity, citing increasing operating costs and the loss of federal funding for community food access.

In 2025, Brooklyn Grange grew an estimated 74,975 pounds of produce, and 60% of that yield was distributed to New Yorkers at no or low cost through food equity partnerships and its sliding-scale CSA program. The Sunset Park farm, in collaboration with Harvest Share, supports a sliding-scale community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. Each year, the Harvest Share produce box program provides about 11,600 pounds of produce to roughly 125 community members at prices ranging from $7.50 to $31 per week. Since the program's inception, participants have reported eating more and a greater variety of vegetables, noting that the savings allow them to pay bills or purchase other groceries.

Union worker Joan Hwang said she and other farmworkers were informed of the decision by their manager on Sept. 3.

“We were told by our manager in the morning that she wants to have a conversation with us about some changes that are happening with the company. We kind of immediately knew that it would not be a good thing,” Hwang recalled.

The company confirmed to workers at the Javits Center that it will maintain its contract for the rooftop farm there, though it said that one farm crew position may be eliminated.

Farmworkers at Brooklyn Grange unionized in 2024. The Sunset Post reported earlier on stalled contract negotiations between Brooklyn Grange and the union. After a year of talks, the bargaining unit, represented by the United Farm Workers (UFW), filed for an impasse in July 2025. Following a 30-day mediation led by a state-appointed mediator, the two sides failed to reach an agreement.

Under the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act, agricultural workers in New York are legally prohibited from striking or engaging in work stoppages. In July 2026, the bargaining unit filed an arbitration petition. Hwang said company representatives indicated during a meeting with the union that they also wish to pursue arbitration. Under the law, a neutral arbitrator will determine the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. At least five farm cases have advanced to the interest arbitration stage since the law's passage.

The bargaining unit stated in an Instagram post that its primary focus remains securing a collective bargaining agreement.

UFW Secretary-Treasurer Armando Elenes said in a statement to the Sunset Post that the union calls on Brooklyn Grange to communicate honestly and openly with its members.

“Workers at Brooklyn Grange deserve their union contract. It has been two years since Brooklyn Grange workers unionized. Management must come to the table and reach an agreement,” Elenes said.

In an email to CSA shareholders, the Brooklyn Grange team said it is committed to finishing the 2026 Harvest Share season. The team added that it is exploring a sustainable path forward for the farms and their associated community programs.

In 2022, Brooklyn Grange folded its farm operation at the Standard Motor Products building in Long Island City. The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens subsequently took over the lease for the 1-acre farm, which now produces more than 4,000 pounds of food each season for free distribution to club families and farm guests.

Hwang said that despite the frustration and outrage, it is not the time to give up.

“Through this challenge and situation, [we are looking at] how we can raise the consciousness of other people who are either stakeholders like the community members or anyone who might be affected or interested in the story,” she said.

“The mission that we were working for, feeding our neighbors, educating, and being a connection to the food system in New York City. This is necessary work that must go on,” Hwang added.