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Free Healthy Food at the New Mobile Market

On Tuesday, June 10, 2014, the Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement launched the Queensbridge Mobile Market, sponsored by City Harvest, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. The event, for residents from Ravenswood and Queensbridge, was held at the basketball court behind the Riis Settlement gym. City Harvest works to end hunger in communities throughout New York City through food rescue and distribution, education, and other solutions. At the event, City Harvest provided food and education through cooking demos, free samples and endorsements of healthier food choices. The weather conditions were ideal; not a drop of rain in sight. The overall atmosphere was warm as well. Green tents offered a variety of vegetables including collard greens, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and squash.

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Over 800 residents signed up for food distribution at this launch event where the emphasis was on accessing and using healthy vegetables. At other locations, City Harvest sometimes features other food groups such as bread and meat in addition to healthy vegetables. Food donations come in from New York State and local farms.

A number of speakers shared information with those gathered.  Leslie Gordon, Senior Director of Program Operations mentioned the terrible statistic that 1 in 5 children in New York City face “food insecurity.” Following Gordon’s speech a green ribbon was cut to commemorate the grand opening of the Queensbridge location for the City Harvest program. Next, Jennifer McLean, Vice President of the Community Impact at City Harvest, spoke and thanked New York City Housing Authority and Floating Hospital for supporting the initiative. McLean also thanked the Healthy Neighborhoods section of City Harvest, which was responsible for the event.

Christopher Hanway, Executive Director of Riis Settlement, followed McLean, thanked everyone involved and emphasized that the event was proof that “private and public partnerships can work.” Speakers who followed Hanway included Cornell Wrisby, Borough Director of Staten Island Communications, Maritza Arroyo, President of Zone 126, and Eddie Diaz of Associated Supermarket. Gratitude was expressed to elected officials, City Harvest staff, City Harvest Partners, and the DJ who kept the event lively. Overall, the event was a great success.

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