The Sylvia Center provides hands-on experiences with growing and cooking healthy food. We inspire young people to discover good nutrition through thoughtful, direct experiences with seasonal fruits and vegetables, on the farm and in the kitchen.

The Sylvia Center addresses issues in children’s health by providing hands-on experiences with growing and cooking healthy food. We inspire young people—predominantly in underserved communities—to discover good nutrition through delicious, direct experiences with seasonal fruits and vegetables, on the farm and in the kitchen.

America’s young people face a health crisis. Juvenile obesity is an epidemic, bringing with it a surge in obesity-related disorders once considered rare in children. Most tragically, young victims are concentrated in economically disadvantaged communities.

Our classes take place year around in New York City community centers and schools and at our own Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, New York. At the end of our courses, children are able to define seasonality, know how and where food is grown; they can identify the components of a healthy meal. Most importantly, children learn to try new foods and become proficient in cooking healthy, simple meals.

Through these programs, children come to understand what food is, how it is grown, and, perhaps most important, that they themselves can choose to make good food for their own bodies.

In New York City

Year-round programs are held in our Children's Learning Kitchen in Hudson Square and in schools and community centers throughout New York City. Our after-school programs teach students about where their food comes from, how it is grown, and how to cook delicious simple meals with seasonal, local produce.To learn more about our programs in New York City, click here.

On Katchkie Farm

On-farm programs (May through October) connect children and young adults with the origins of food as they taste their way around our uniquely designed children's garden. Students harvest vegetables and cook them into a fresh meal they eat while looking out over the farm and fields. Additional activities may include composting, a visit with the chickens, and a farm hike. To learn more about our farm programs, click here.

Visit the IFPDA Print Fair and Support The Sylvia Center

Oct 29, 2011

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Buy tickets to the IFPDA Print Fair here and 75% of your purchase will support The Sylvia Center! And don't forget to buy your kids the Eye Spy treasure hunt game they can play at the fair. For more information or to buy tickets, please click here.

Private Classes now open for enrollment

Oct 8, 2011

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Children learn to prepare healthy, delicious recipes from around the world, including pizza, sushi, and crepes, using fresh seasonal produce. A professional chef-instructor leads small groups (6-8 students per session) through a mind-opening exploration of new tastes and techniques—great for kids who love trying new foods as well as those who need encouragement. We knead bread dough and watch it rise, simmer homemade tomato sauce, and make our own sorbet. Excursions to neighborhood parks, bakeries, and farmer’s markets complement the cooking curriculum. Read More »

Save the date for the second annual Art of Farming event at Sotheby’s Auction House!

Sep 22, 2011

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On Tuesday, September 27, 2011, Sotheby's Auction House will host the second annual Art of Farming event to celebrate edible heirloom vegetables and the art involved in their creation. All proceeds from the event will benefit GrowNYC and The Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm. Just in time for the fall harvest, this special evening provides a unique platform for local farmers, purveyors, celebrity chefs, food industry experts and philanthropists to join together to support local agriculture and sustainable food practices for all New Yorkers. Read More »

Farm to Table Dining benefit July 16th

Jun 18, 2011

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Join us for our annual outdoor Farm to Table dinner to benefit The Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm this July 16th. Farm to Table is a unique experience that showcases the best local produce and products that our region has to offer. Read More »

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Kid's Kitchen
Register your child now for private cooking classes in the Sylvia Center learning kitchen on the GP premises. Once a week, after school, we’ll teach your young foodie the art of preparing healthy, delicious dishes from around the world. $40/class or twelve weeks for $400. Ages 8 – 12. Email us for more info

Sponsor a Child
Join The Sylvia Center at the Associate level of $100 to sponsor a child participant in one of our programs. To learn more about how you can support us, click here.
Featured Seasonal Recipe

Spring Frittata

8 large eggs
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1 medium onion, diced small
2 cups diced new potatoes
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup chopped parsley
2 - 3 Tbs. olive oil
Salt and pepper

PROCEDURE
Preheat boiler. Steam diced potatoes until tender, about three minutes. Beat eggs until frothy. Add cheese, parsley 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. In a large oven-proof sauté pan over medium heat, sauté onion in olive oil until soft. Add spinach and cook down, stirring often to prevent burning. Add potatoes and combine. Add egg/cheese mixture to pan. Cook at medium heat until barely set, about seven minutes. Transfer pan to broiler. Broil for a minute or two, until top of frittata is nicely browned. Serve with a nice crusty bread.
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