QUEENS

In the Spring of 2022 HEART’s Compassionate Communities Award program completed its 4th year of engagement with NYC schools, bringing our innovative approach to sharing humane education practices and resources that inspire respect, empathy, and social engagement into Queens District 30 schools.

In recognition of one of the key struggles that has especially impacted many communities in Queens this year, the theme for our 2022 Compassionate Communities Award was Food Justice for All.

The pandemic has exponentially increased the degree of food insecurity in our local communities, as long lines at food banks have become a regular feature of so many neighborhoods in Queens and around the city, and people who have never before experienced food insecurity now find themselves in increasing need, but problems of inequity in access to healthy, affordable whole foods are long-standing, and have their roots in a food production system that privileges some communities while neglecting and exploiting others.

Teaching about Food Justice means challenging students to explore and think critically about all aspects of our modern industrial agricultural and global food systems - which connect us through the food we eat to countless other people, animals, and to many of the natural habitats that make up our world - and asking them to consider ways to make it more just, compassionate, and sustainable for us all.

Our 2022 CCA participant schools all brought creative lessons, impactful community actions, and exciting plans for future projects to meaningfully support Food Justice and sustainable environmental practices in their neighborhoods to our contest this year, and shared inspiring presentations of their work during our virtual awards event in June. Congratulations to our award winners and many thanks to our judges and the entire District 30 community!