About
Since 2022, Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Harlem and the Bronx. We partner with underrepresented communities to create fair food systems and open up real job opportunities for young adults. Our work includes running seasonal farmers' markets, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, and workforce development for young people. We also offer sustainability programs that help make fresh, affordable produce and economic opportunities available to the neighborhoods we serve.
Who We Are?
Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project (UBHP) is a nonprofit deeply connected to the Harlem and Bronx communities. We build fair food systems and job pathways by operating farmers' markets, farm stands, and CSA programs that accept SNAP. Each week, we help over 1,000 families get fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant produce. Our agribusiness and career training programs provide young adults with hands-on experience, paid opportunities, and the skills they need to shape the future of food systems.
Since 2021, UBHP has launched multiple food access and workforce development sites, including the Bronx Park East Farmers’ Market & CSA, Uptown Good Food Farmers' Market, Uptown Good Food Farm Stand & CSA, and the St. Nicholas Miracle Garden greenhouse. Each site serves as both a community food hub and a live training environment, where young adults gain real-world experience in managing market operations, sourcing produce, engaging with community members, and applying technology to address food systems challenges.
Our programming builds a full pipeline — Kids Club engages children ages 4–13 in food, wellness, and community; our internship and career readiness programs place young adults into paid and skill-building roles; and our Agriculture Impact Summit and NextGen AgSector initiatives connect emerging talent with university partners, industry leaders, and career opportunities across the food and agriculture sector. We also embed composting, textile recycling, chef demos, and health education into every market interaction, ensuring each touchpoint builds both community health and individual capability.
What Makes Us Different
Most food access organizations stop at distribution. UBHP builds systems. We reduce food miles, offer flexible payment options including SNAP, and embed career development into every program we run. Our model transforms the farmers’ market from a transaction point into a workforce development environment where families shop for fresh produce while young adults learn what it takes to run a food business, manage supply chains, and build careers in agribusiness and urban agriculture.
We are building toward a future where the young people who grew up in our programs become the farmers, market managers, technologists, and food systems entrepreneurs who lead this work forward.
Our Mission
Our mission is to build equitable food systems and workforce pathways in Harlem and the Bronx by connecting communities to fresh, affordable food and training young adults for careers in agribusiness, urban agriculture, and food systems technology.
Our Vision
We imagine resilient urban neighborhoods where food is grown locally, farmers and food workers earn living wages, and the next generation leads equitable, technology-driven food systems.
Team
Judith Desire
Kristia M. Winter
Namrata Khare
Alexa Paredes
Join Our Board — Help Build What Comes Next
Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project is at a pivotal moment. We are expanding our workforce development programming, transitioning market and organizational leadership, and building the documented infrastructure to grow beyond our founding chapter. The board we build now will directly shape the impact UBHP sustains in Harlem and the Bronx for years to come.
We are actively recruiting four board members to fill the following seats:
- Board President — Lead board governance, chair quarterly meetings, and partner with the Executive Director on organizational strategy
- Treasurer — Oversee financial health, budgeting, and fiscal accountability
- Two General Board Members — Contribute expertise across legal, agriculture, technology, workforce development, or community leadership
We seek candidates with professional experience in one or more of the following areas: finance and accounting, legal and compliance, urban agriculture and food systems, technology and workforce development, or community and nonprofit leadership. Candidates with ties to Harlem, the Bronx, or Upper Manhattan are strongly encouraged to apply.
Board members meet quarterly per our bylaws and take an active role in governing an organization that has served Harlem and Bronx communities since 2021 — operating farmers markets, a CSA program, a community greenhouse, youth programming, and young adult career pathways in agribusiness and food systems technology.
This is not a ceremonial role. This is an opportunity to govern and grow a nonprofit doing real work in communities that need it.
Press
Ten Fresh Food Organizations Join Shipt’s LadderUp™ Accelerator Program
As a technology company that connects people to the things they need, we’ve always believed that Shipt is uniquely positioned to help reduce barriers to food access. 
We’re proud to announce the ten new fresh food organizations that will make up the fourth cohort of Shipt’s LadderUp™ business accelerator program.
The Accidental Bicycle Tourist
EPISODE 52
In this laugh-out-loud episode, discover how New York City native Judi Desire went from sending a mass guilt-trip email asking for help to learn how ride a bike all the way to solo touring on six continents. Listen in as she recounts her chaotic method of bicycle travel, which intentionally leaves much up to chance.
Cycling With Community | Judi Desire in convo with Mary McGowan
CYCLING WITH: COMMUNITY
How can bike travel inspire bicycle and healthy food advocacy work back home? How can we inspire more people to get on bikes? When bike traveling, what are the benefits of not planning and going with the flow? What is observed from biking through so many cultures?
Cycling With Virtual Summit: https://milesofportraits.com/cw2025watch
Columbia Neighbors by Brandee Sanders
November 06, 2025
We are excited to share a new article written by Brandee Sanders, from Columbia Neighbors, highlighting the community care and food justice work taking place at Saint Nicholas Miracle Garden in Harlem. The article highlights the impact of our evening farm stands, the Sunday Bronx Park East Farmers Market, seedling production, and youth-led programming, which directly support families who rely on fresh, local food.
As we approach #GivingTuesday, we invite you to stand with us. Your support helps us grow seedlings, acquire a refrigerated cargo van, train youth in agribusiness, host Kids Club activities at our markets, and expand our composting and community education initiatives.We remain committed to building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient local food system for many years to come.
NPR Affiliate Public Service Inquiry aired Judith Desire's interview on the What's What podcast episode on October 14. Here is the stream link to the interview, which starts at 5:15 on the timestamp. You can also find it on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music if you look up WFUV What's What Podcast.
How Judi Desire and her ‘tiny but mighty’ community food project is feeding the people
Amsterdam News by TYRA WATTS
September 25, 2025
For Judith Desire, founder and CEO of the Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project, a non-profit organization serving underserved communities in Harlem and the Bronx through farmers’ markets, Community Supported Agriculture programs, youth training and education, and sustainability initiatives, she has seen food insecurity all around her. But her journey to starting the organization came from an unlikely place.
Open | Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project
Jonathan Calixto is joined by Judi Desire, the Founder & Executive Director of The Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project, to discuss their mission to empower vulnerable communities with nutrition education, promoting healthy lifestyles, and fostering food security.
Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project | OPEN
OPEN Host Daren Jaime invites Judi Desire, the Executive Director and Farmers Market Manager of the Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project, for an enlightening conversation. They delve into how Uptown & Boogie's local farmers' markets bridge the gap between urban communities and neighborhood farmers. Join us to learn more about supporting local produce and fostering community ties.
Bronx Park East Farmers Market | OPEN
OPEN Host Daren Jaime sits down with the Executive Director / Farmers Market Manager of the Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project, Judi Desire discusses the Bronx compost drop-off, the new farmers market location, White Plains Road Farmers Market, and the impact of local farmers markets on community wellness.
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