The Foodlink Community Farm

Foodlink operates an urban farm and community garden in the northwest quadrant of Rochester — one of the most underinvested communities in our region. 

We believe that urban agriculture is an essential part of our local food system and the health of our community.

In 2025, Foodlink launched a $2 renovation and expansion of this space as part of a multi-year infrastructure improvement project. We installed 160 new raised beds, built a 3,000-square-foot greenhouse and constructed a new Edible Education Center … and celebrated its grand opening at our annual Fall Fest!

Our location:

Learn more about changes at the farm!

About

The Foodlink Community Farm at 585 Lexington Ave. is a 2.3-acre urban agriculture campus located between the Edgerton and Lyell-Otis neighborhoods of northwest Rochester. The farm consists of a new Edible Education Center, greenhouse, large community garden, commercial growing operation, apiary, orchard, public pocket park and play area. 

Through the Foodlink Community Farm, Foodlink provides opportunities to build connections between the land, our programs, and our community — and educate local children about how food is grown, harvested and introduced into our local food system.

Growing community through gardening

The community garden at the Foodlink Community Farm is the largest and most productive in Rochester. Foodlink founded the farm in 2011, as a result of the advocacy of a small group of New American families who organized around a need for space to grow fresh, high-quality, and culturally relevant food. Today, approximately 100+ local families grow a variety of crops and keep the farm looking vibrant and fresh! Each October, we celebrate community and the end of the growing season with our annual Fall Fest!

Supporting Foodlink programs through commercial growing

Foodlink staff and volunteers also grow food at the Foodlink Community Farm that supports our Curbside Market, Community Kitchen (youth and senior meals), Community Café and Nutrition Education programs. This commercial growing operation includes an orchard and apiary.

Foodlink is thrilled to open a new greenhouse in the summer of 2025, paving the way for year-round growing for the first time in our history! 

Bringing gardening to the classroom and beyond

Through our urban agriculture programming, Foodlink collaborates with schools and community organizations in our service area to build teaching and community gardens, and to offer garden-based education. Our goal is to ensure all elementary school students in the City of Rochester gain access to our farm to learn about “Edible Education” in the years ahead. 

In 2025, we collaborated with ROC Ecology Partners to host our inaugural summer camp!

Impact

  • The Foodlink Community Farm is one of the largest (2.3 acres) urban agriculture sites in the City of Rochester.
  • The community garden now provides space for 100+ families to grow more than 7,000 pounds of food for their households each year.
  • Volunteers donated more than 400 hours in time during the 2024 growing season! 

Testimonials

"In Nepal, I was trained to grow food since I was a child. Now, in Rochester, I wanted to share my experience to help the people who are here. I love growing fresh food — eating vegetables makes me feel healthy. I feel happy to be here, and proud to be here helping people."
Lachuman Pokhrel
Community Garden Steward
"There's a sense of tranquility. It's a peaceful spot to be in. It's kind of like this oasis in the middle of the city … you can come in to the garden space and be surrounded by all the green around us, and take joy in what's growing there."
John Miller
Community Farm Specialist
"I'm excited for the impact this project will have on the neighborhood and beyond while also creating important educational opportunities for kids throughout the city."
Sarah Clark
NYS Assembly - District 136
"This farm has been an oasis for New Americans, and we're investing in it significantly. That's what I've wanted to do my whole life — since I was in high school ... make change in this community that raised me."
Frank Keophetlasy
Community Farm Manager

Give us your feedback!

Big changes are coming to the farm!

Foodlink will be investing significant resources in the farm in 2024 and beyond, including a new building and increased growing opportunities. 

Using the form, let us know what you’d like to see at the farm in the future! 

Videos

Volunteers, staff spring into action at the farm!

Planning for the future: Foodlink eager to expand farm in 2025