Tony Hillery started Harlem Grown mostly to teach parents about nutrition, about where food comes from and why what we eat is important. When he found the parents weren’t all that fussed, he turned to the kids. Harlem Grown now runs 11 gardens, growing around 6,000 pounds of food each year. It’s become about much more than good eating. They now spend a great deal of time talking about sustainability, showing kids how food goes from the ground to the table and back to the ground, and how that cycle is not only good for their health, but it’s good for the planet, and ensures we have safe food to eat well into the future. The side effects are kids who are involved in something they love to do, and an education in how what we do matters. As Executive Director of the Earth Day Initiative, John Opperman teaches people about the importance of thinking “green.” They encourage us to use solar power, and solar farms throughout the city.  They’ve started educating people about the value of Green Buildings, and about taking the time to think before we act, like not using single-use plastic bags and, of course, recycling.