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Bronx, NY – In recognition of September as Healthy Aging Month AND September 10th as Hunger Action Day, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined New York State Assembly Member Landon Dais and Hunger Free America to announce her office is partnering with the New York City Department for the Aging, and GrowNYC, to distribute health bucks to older adults as part of her initiative to combat hunger and improve nutrition in the Bronx. The event took place at the Bronx Borough Hall Greenmarket on 161st Street, a produce stand that for two decades, has provided area residents with farm fresh fruits and vegetables from upstate farms.
According to the findings from a study by City Meals on Wheels in partnership with the CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute, nearly 50% of older New Yorkers (ages 60 and above), experienced food insecurity in the past year. The report also showed that figure rising as high as 60% for those receiving home-delivered meals, with 41% of older adults sometimes, or never being able to shop for groceries, and 38%, having a limited ability to prepare food.
“On this Hunger Action Day, we are shedding light on an issue that is disproportionately affecting our older adults in the Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I am excited to announce a partnership with Grow NYC and the New York City Department for the Aging, where we will distribute information and resources at our local farmers markets to ensure our older adults have access to fresh and nutritious food options in our borough. I want to thank Grow NYC and the New York City Department for the Aging for their partnership on this initiative and commitment to supporting our older adults.”
“As Commissioner, I am thrilled by Borough President Gibson’s ongoing partnership and mutual commitment to helping reduce food insecurity among older adults,” said NYC Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “And as a Bronxite, I know increasing access to health and nutritious foods is critically important. The healthy options available to older Bronx residents through this initiative will help them stay physically fit while remaining in the communities they know and love.”
“Food insecurity remains a challenge for many New Yorkers and thanks to dedicated city partners like Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, GrowNYC is making strides to combat hunger through incentives like Health Bucks,” said Tutu Badaru, Assistant Director of Food Access Initiatives & Partnerships. “GrowNYC pioneered the distribution of Health Bucks in partnership with the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene to encourage SNAP users to buy local, fresh food, marking a groundbreaking effort in the United States. Today, this program has inspired similar efforts across the nation. Together, we are making a powerful impact and creating a brighter, healthier future for all New Yorkers.”
“No one should go hungry, but it’s especially troublesome when our oldest residents do,” said Filomena E. Acevedo, Director of Community Organizing/Advocacy, Hunger Free America. “We appreciate Borough President Gibson leading the fight to make sure Bronx’s seniors can access sufficient, healthy, food.”
“The Green Market on 161st Street has been essential to bringing healthy foods at a low cost not only to our seniors but the 161st community at large,” said Trey Jenkins, Executive Director of the 161st Street Business Improvement District. “During my tenure as the Executive Director at the 161st Street BID we have worked closely with Grow NYC to ensure the Green Market continues to be a success in our corridor and we’re happy to continue to work with Grow NYC and the Bronx Borough President’s Office on this new partnership with DFTA to address food security for our seniors in the Bronx.”
Launched in 2005, Health Bucks serves as an incentive for New Yorkers to incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables into their daily diet. For every $2 spent at a farmers market using SNAP on an EBT card, shoppers get $2 in Health Bucks, up to $10 per day. For more information, go to grownyc.org.
On August 8th, Borough President Gibson was joined by NYC Council Member Eric Dinowitz at the Norwood Farmstand off East Gun Hill Road and East Dekalb Avenue to announce a combined allocation of $30,000 towards Health Bucks to be spent at Green Markets, Farmstands and Pop-Ups throughout the Bronx.
The Bronx Borough President’s Office will be at the following Farmstands during the month of September:
September 20th
Parkchester Market
10 AM – 1 PM
September 24th
Lincoln Hospital
10 AM – 1 PM
September 25th
Morris Heights Farmstand
10 AM – 1 PM