Prime Produce

Community organization in New York City

40°45′59″N 73°59′18″W﻿ / ﻿40.7664°N 73.9883°W﻿ / 40.7664; -73.9883

Prime Produce Guild Hall

Prime Produce in 2023

Abbreviation| Prime Produce
Formation| 2016
Type| Nonprofit, Cooperative
Location|

* 424 W 54th St, NY, NY 10019

Website| https://www.primeproduce.coop/

Prime Produce Guild Hall, also known as Prime Produce Apprentice Cooperative and Prime Produce, is a community co-working organization and event space based in New York City.[1][2][3]

Prime Produce consists of two organizational bodies. One is an incorporated nonprofit that runs the co-working collective, cybernetics library, and community space in the building.[4][5] The second is a cooperative that manages their building located at 424 West 54 Street.[6]

## History

[edit]

Co-founded by Jerone Hsu, Prime Produce is listed in the Dramatists Guild directory describing itself as "support[ing] entrepreneurs, educators, and artists who share values of service and hospitality" by offering event and practice spaces.[7][8] Prime Produce has hosted art exhibitions, screenings, staged readings, business networking events involving Pennsylvania's Lafayette College, and career panels for Cornell University.[3][9][2][10]

Prime Produce hosts Earthlings NYC, a turtle restoration project that cares for NYC turtles in need by rehabilitating them in the Prime Produce space before re-releasing the turtles into the wild or to permanent homes.[11]

In 2022, Jamaican eatery Cafe 424 opened for business in the cafe space on the first floor of Prime Produce serving Jamaican cuisine.[12]

Since 2023, Prime Produce has hosted meetings and events presented by the local Wikipedia chapter, Wikimedia New York City.[1]

### Cosmic Turtle Drop (New Year's Eve)

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On New Year's Eve 2023, Prime Produce welcomed in 2024 with a "Cosmic Turtle Drop," descending a translucent turtle sculpture with multicolored lights inside.[11] The ceremonial turtle drop took place in front of the Prime Produce building.[11] The choice of the turtle references the turtle rehab work of Earthlings NYC and the history of Turtle Island in indigenous North American folklore.[11] After the turtle descended, the attendees congregated in the Prime Produce guild hall to watch films that had newly entered the public domain in 2024, starting with Steamboat Willie.[11]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prime Produce.

## References

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1. ^ a b Mangan, Sandra (2023-10-11). "Open House Weekend Explores the Inside Story of Hell's Kitchen and Beyond". W42ST. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
2. ^ a b Christi, A.A. (26 October 2021). "Moxie Arts NY and Prime Produce Apprentice Cooperative Present Free Filmed Play Premiere of LE CONTRAIRE DE LA SOLITUDE (OR, THE OPPOSITE OF LONELY)". Broadway World.
3. ^ a b "CRAFT NYC: Next Steps Farmer Panel - Harvest New York - Cornell University - Cornell Cooperative Extension".
4. ^ Ramos, José Maria. "Coworking: Challenges and Opportunities for a Prosperous and Fair New Economy" (PDF).
5. ^ Rao, Ankita (2020-11-23). "Our Cities Are Designed for Loneliness". Vice.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
6. ^ Schneider, Nathan (12 October 2015). "The New Guilded Age". The New Yorker.
7. ^ "Member Profile: Jerone Hsu, Co-Founder at GROW Externships". F6S.
8. ^ "Prime Produce Apprentice Cooperative". dramatistsguild.com. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
9. ^ "COMMUNITY CALENDAR, MAR 10, 2023 EXHIBITION: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT". ny1.com.
10. ^ Wild, Stephi. "Leviathan Lab And JW Theatrical Present A Reading Of Penny Pun's (IMMIGRANTS') LOVE STORIES at Prime Produce". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
11. ^ a b c d e Perry, David (2024-01-01). "Shell-ebrating the New Year: Hell's Kitchen Welcomes 2024 with a Cosmic Turtle Drop!". W42ST. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
12. ^ Beling, Sarah (2022-09-02). "Enjoy a Flavor of Jamaican Cuisine and Hospitality as Cafe 424 Opens in Hell's Kitchen". W42ST. Retrieved 2023-11-06.

## External links

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* Official website