Communities for Healthy Food NYC

The Communities for Healthy Food NYC was a place-based approach to expanding access to affordable, healthy food in five of New York City’s economically challenged communities. The initiative integrated access to healthy and affordable food into every aspect of community development work – through resident outreach, nutrition education and cooking classes; creating new or improved healthy food outlets; and generating food-sector jobs.

Launched in 2014, the initiative addressed the interrelated issues of diet-related diseases, poverty and unemployment to help residents live longer and healthier lives. And it tapped LISC’s value as a community development intermediary with strong neighborhood organization relationships, the ability to leverage capital and programmatic funds, and a strong track record as a technical assistance provider.

From 2014 through 2018, our Communities for Healthy Food program served over 155,000 residents, delivered 1.1 million pounds of emergency food to 94,000 food pantry clients, enrolled 3,000 families in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and created 17 new farmers markets or gardens.

In 2018, LISC NYC completed our work with this program. Our CDC partners successfully raised additional resources to sustain their work locally.

Resources and Links:

Community Partners

Funders

Resources and Case Studies