Tracing North Brooklyn’s Polish Food Heritage

For much of the 20th century, Northern Williamsburg and Greenpoint have been home to one of New York's largest Polish communities. Yet over the last decade, many Polish residents have left the neighborhood, and gentrification is increasing pressure on local businesses. 2015 saw a particularly drastic decrease in businesses serving the Polish community, including food purveyors like butchers, bakeries, and restaurants.

This panel, moderated by foodways educator Annie Hauck-Lawson and featuring urban anthropologist Filip Stabrowski and local business owner Andrew Konopka, will trace the history of North Brooklyn’s former economies through the lens of food. We’ll focus on the stories of restaurants that have served the area’s Polish community for decades, as well as the rich culture of domestic food practices, from backyard smokehouses to home pickling. You’ll also have a chance to try tastings of Polish food, provided by local vendors.

Panelists:

• Annie Hauck-Lawson, PhD, RD, foodways educator; founder, Brooklyn Mompost; co-editor, Gastropolis: Food and New York City (moderator)


• Andrew Konopka, owner, Busy Bee Food Exchange


• Filip Stabrowski, PhD, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, LaGuardia Community College/CUNY

This program is part of the Museum of Food and Drink’s MOFAD City series and is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Check out MOFAD City's full lineup at programs.mofad.org.

Photo: Anna Majkowska