By Mutiu Olawuyi

Bronx educator, innovator and community leader Stephen Ritz has received a congressional honor recognizing his decades of service to students, families and communities through education, sustainability and food justice.

The honor, entered into the Congressional Record of the 119th Congress, Second Session, was presented by U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres of New York on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, under the title “Honoring Stephen Ritz.”

The framed recognition celebrates Ritz as the founder of Green Bronx Machine, a nationally and internationally recognized education movement that began as a classroom initiative in the South Bronx and grew into a global model for hands-on learning, healthy food, environmental stewardship and youth empowerment.

“Born and raised in the Bronx, Stephen Ritz has transformed lives through the power of education, sustainability, and hope,” the congressional tribute states.

According to the recognition, Green Bronx Machine has reached more than 375,000 students across six continents and trained over 11,000 educators worldwide. The organization was also named by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in 2024.

Ritz is widely known for turning classrooms into living laboratories where students learn by growing food. The congressional tribute notes that he created the first edible classroom in the world, helping students grow more than 375,000 pounds of fresh vegetables in the South Bronx.

The record also highlights the achievements of his students, known as “The Miracle in the Bronx.” They have earned national STEM championships, seven Anthem Awards and the first Emmy Award in New York City Department of Education history.

Ritz’s work has also carried the Bronx message beyond the classroom. Through Green Bronx Machine, he has connected academic learning with food justice, public health, climate awareness, workforce development and community pride.

The congressional tribute further recognizes that Ritz has helped create more than 2,200 living wage jobs in New York City, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ending Hunger in America, and presented at the United Nations and World Business Forum.

His recognitions include being named a CNN COVID Food Hero, a 2023 Global Food Hero, a 2024 Food Waste Warrior by Food Tank, and a recipient of the 2025 Global Food Changemaker Prize in Social Impact.

For the Bronx, this recognition is more than a personal award. It affirms the power of local educators who use creativity, discipline and community love to solve real problems affecting children and families.

At a time when many communities face food insecurity, health disparities, educational inequality and environmental challenges, Ritz’s work demonstrates that schools can become centers of healing, innovation and opportunity. A classroom can become a garden. A garden can become a science lab.

A science lab can become a career pathway. And a career pathway can become a movement.

Representative Torres’ tribute also emphasizes Ritz’s deep personal commitment to the Bronx. Despite global recognition, he continues to serve as Executive Director of the National Health, Wellness and Learning Center at Community School 55 as an unpaid, full-time volunteer.

“Today, we celebrate Stephen Ritz not only for his remarkable achievements, but for his unwavering belief that every child can grow, thrive, and succeed,” the tribute states. “The Bronx is proud to call him one of our own.”

That message captures the enduring value of Ritz’s work. His legacy is not only in awards, vegetables grown, or classrooms transformed. It is in the young people who have learned that their neighborhood can produce knowledge, health, dignity and leadership.

In honoring Stephen Ritz, Congress has also honored the Bronx educators, students, parents and community builders who continue to prove that change can grow from the ground up.