NYC rolls out vertical farming program to train inmates for post-release jobs
The New York City Correction Department awarded a $228,000 contract to Colorado firm FarmBox Foods to teach inmates vertical hydroponic farming, aiming to provide skills for re-entry and fresh produce for meals.
New York City’s Correction Department, under the Mamdani administration, signed a nearly $230,000 annual contract with FarmBox Foods, a Colorado-based vertical farming company, to launch a hydroponic farm for inmates at Rikers Island and other municipal facilities. The initiative will teach persons-in-custody how to grow leafy greens, herbs and small vegetables in stacked, soil-free containers, using LED lighting and automated nutrient systems.
Produce from the farm will supply healthier "farm-to-table" meals for the incarcerated population. Officials say the skill-building program targets felons seeking viable employment after release, hoping to curb repeat offenses. DOC Commissioner Stanley Richards, who once served time at Rikers, highlighted the therapeutic and workforce-readiness benefits, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly supported the effort.
Why it matters
Teaching inmates modern farming skills could improve post-release employment prospects and reduce repeat incarceration.
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