Stephen Ritz

Founder & CEO

Stephen Ritz is an award-winning educator and founder of Green Bronx Machine, a globally recognized initiative transforming education, health, and communities through urban agriculture. Based in the South Bronx, he has pioneered a model that integrates food, sustainability, and hands-on learning to drive academic success and social impact.

Through his work, Ritz and his students have grown over 165,000 pounds of vegetables, improved school attendance and performance, and helped create pathways to employment for thousands of young people. His approach reimagines classrooms as engines of community regeneration, where students learn by doing and directly contribute to healthier, more resilient neighborhoods.

A leading voice on education, food systems, and sustainability, Ritz has been widely recognized for his impact, including being named a finalist for the Global Teacher Prize. His work has been featured by major media outlets and institutions worldwide, and his TEDx talk is among the most viewed in the field of food and education.

Known for his energy and “Si Se Puede” ethos, Ritz continues to inspire global audiences with a vision that connects education, health, and opportunity, demonstrating how local action can drive systemic change.