“Obesity in America has reached a crisis point. Two out of every three Americans are overweight, one out of every three is obese. One in three are expected to have diabetes by 2050. Minorities have been even more profoundly affected. African-Americans have a 50 per cent higher prevalence of obesity and Hispanics 25 per cent … More Fast Food, Fast Profits
In order to target chronic illnesses in NYC due to a poor diet and exercice regiment, the city initiated a program called “Health Bucks.” Low-income individuals and households receive Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits, as well as SNAP benefits to pay for food. The Health Bucks program provides SNAP recipients with a $2 coupon for ever $5 … More Health Bucks: A Healthy Food Initiative
In a city with limited space resources, taking commerce to the streets is normal. New York City is characterized by its street vendors, selling everything from hot dogs to books to used clothes, to art. However, there are more people wanting to sell on the streets, than there are actual permits. (Yes, one needs a permit to have his … More Green Carts: Pushing NYC’s way to a healthy future
In New York City, we measure distances by avenues and streets, the wait for the subway, or the amount of time spent hailing a cab. However, NYC’s official measure of food insecurity is the “Meal Gap,” which represents the meals missing from households with limited budgets for food. foodbank.nyc.org mapped out the meal gap in … More The Meal Gap
What is SNAP? In a nutshell, SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal assistance program that helps low-income people buy food, plants and seeds for nourishment. (USDA) These benefits are “wired” through electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards. More than 1.8 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP. Most however, don’t know that they’re eligible! … More SNAP: An Overview
Good question. To answer that, first, I want to share a few statistics with you. In a survey published by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, it was shown that 65.4% of stores in Central Harlem, and 66.2% in East Harlem, were bodegas. Bodegas are small grocery-stores, with convenient hours and locations. However, bodegas … More What Is a Food Desert?
New York City is known for its fantastic cuisine–you can find anything here. But is that safe to say for all NYC residents? It may seem implausible that NYC, foodie’s paradise, is the home of one of the most severe food deserts. Read an Urban Studies paper from Columbia University about the Harlem food desert right here.
In low income neighborhoods, there is currently a dearth of access to fresh foods. This lack of access, coupled with a lack of nutrition education, may lead to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health issues. Approximately three million New Yorkers live neighborhoods with a high need for more supermarkets. Some of these … More Fresh Ideas.
The Harlem Food Project 