November 30, 2020
On the eve of the Thanksgiving, Bronx Impact’s Food Access Collective and over 20 community partners, submitted a plan to increase equitable food access in the Bronx and across New York City. After the COVID-19 lockdown, Bronx unemployment became the highest in the city while the number of Bronx food pantries decreased by half, leaving more families with fewer options to find temporary assistance. Bronx Impact’s joint recommendations call for innovative solutions to address the persistent gaps in our food system today and beyond the city’s pandemic recovery tomorrow.
Bronx Impact’s joint letter and proposal was presented to The Mayor’s Office for Food Policy which is bound by law to codify a 10-year Food Plan for the City by January 2021.
Bronx Impact calls on the City to increase their investment in proven community engagement and collective impact approaches which promote just, equitable food access for all Bronx residents. Our proposals were created over the past five months by collaborating with more than 50 cross-sector organizations, community members, advocates, religious institutions, and policy experts who gathered bi-weekly to collectively envision a policy platform. Partners include the NYC Comptroller’s Office, Children’s Aid, GrowNYC, World Central Kitchen, Muslims Against Hunger and more.
Proposed solutions include increasing acceptance EBT, SNAP, and other food assistance programs via black, brown, and other minority-owned business such as Green Carts to promote the availability and affordability of fresh and culturally relevant food products. Eighteen additional policy recommendations were submitted.
Allison Marino, Bronx Impact’s Director for Bronx Community District 6 noted, “The long-standing inequities which suppress just access to nutritious food choices for Bronx residents were deeply exacerbated by the pandemic, but we have the opportunity to advocate for the reimagining of those systems. The community members who are most directly impacted by these challenges are best positioned to identify the real roots of problems and the most effective solutions for overcoming them. This platform advocates for these community members to be supported with the power and resources to realize and sustain these solutions and to fill the gaps which persist despite their tireless efforts.”
Bronx Impact – CD 6 and the Bronx Impact Food Access Collective are proud partners of Children’s Aid and the Bronx Borough President’s Office.
ABOUT PHIPPS NEIGHBORHOODS
Phipps Neighborhoods is a not-for-profit organization that works toward a New York City in which no one is caught in the cycle of poverty. Each year we provide 12,000 children, youth, and families in low-income neighborhoods the opportunities they need to thrive through comprehensive education and career programs, and access to community services.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Thomas Brande
201-663-3952
tbrande@phippsny.org