The Green Beetz Story

Green Beetz was founded in 2013 by Dr. Anna Chapman, a psychiatrist, Andrew Chapman, a restauranteur, and Tracey Kemble, an entertainment veteran.

Noticing the lack of healthy food options and nutrition education in Harlem, they decided to bridge their three domains of expertise in science, food, and media to bring Green Beetz to life and engage NYC tweens in historically underserved neighborhoods about the effects of food on our health, our community, and the environment. 

Over the past ten years, the organization has grown in immeasurable ways from expansion to funding and partnerships, and adapting to the growing needs of educators.

 
a globe with the words sustainability, equity, and health around it

  • Founded

    2013: Green Beetz is founded by Anna Chapman, Andrew Chapman, and Tracey Kemble

  • Green Beetz Pilot

    2014-2015 School Year: Launched in 3 Harlem schools

  • NYAS Curriculum Update

    2014-2015: Green Beetz Curriculum is updated to current standards in collaboration with New York Academy of Sciences

  • GrowNYC Partnership

    Fall 2015: Green Beetz collaborates with GrowNYC's School Garden Program and reaches 8 schools in the first year

  • Columbia University Collaboration

    Spring 2015: Green Beetz works with Columbia University Institute of Human Nutrition and Teachers College Columbia University to collect and analyze impact evaluation data and teacher feedback

  • All 5 Boroughs

    2016-2018: In partnership with GrowNYC, Green Beetz expands to all 5 boroughs - reaching 23 schools

  • Summer Camp Launch

    Summer 2018: In collaboration with local YMCA Green Beetz offers summer camp programming

  • DOE Vendor

    Fall 2019: Granted official Vendor Status by New York City Department of Education

  • Green Beetz Direct

    Spring 2020: In response to Covid-19 Pandemic related school closures we launch our Distance Learning Program

  • Junior After-School Program

    Fall 2021: Developed a K-3 paid programming to support our free public and charter school curriculum

  • Food Waste Warriors Grantee

    2021-2022: Green Beetz is a recipient of the World Wildlife Federation Food Waste Warriors grant and implements ongoing cafeteria audits in 3 schools for the year

  • National and International Expansion

    2022-2023: Green Beetz curriculum expands to approximately 50 schools locally and nationally, including TN, WA, CA, WI, MA, IN, IL, MD, VT, FL and 10 schools internationally to Canada, South Korea, UK, China, and more.