On Thursday, Aug. 8, the Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and New York Council Member Eric Dinowitz hosted a “Health Bucks Press Conference,” where they distributed $15,000 worth of Health Bucks to Bronx residents.
Health Bucks are $2 coupons that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at NYC farmers markets and farmstands. Attendees present received envelopes with Health Bucks to purchase fruits and vegetables.
The event was held at Norwood Farmstand on East Gun Hill Road and Dekalb Avenue. Gibson also presented a $10,000 check to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to go toward the Health Bucks program. Dinowitz, meanwhile, presented a $20,000 check to GrowNYC and DOHMH for Norwood Farmstand/Health Bucks.
Of the $15,000 distributed Thursday in Health Bucks, $10,000 came via Gibson’s office, while Dinowitz allocated $5,000. Additionally, Dinowitz invested another $15,000 in the Norwood Farmstand.
“As the cost of food increases, and access to fresh, affordable produce decreases, we are seeing firsthand the effect it is having on our communities,” Gibson said.
“Many of our residents reside in food deserts without access to nutritious food options that contribute to poor health outcomes and health-related illnesses. Our team made a $10,000 investment in health bucks because we have seen the impact this initiative can have in combatting hunger, improving nutrition, increasing access to healthy food and increasing our urban agriculture. I want to thank my colleague, Council Member Eric Dinowitz, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and GrowNYC for their partnership in reducing hunger and improving our borough’s health infrastructure.”
This announcement comes shortly after the New York State Department of Health reported that the Bronx has the highest amount of food insecurity out of all counties in the state, at 39%. Even with the Bronx being home to the Hunts Point Cooperative Market, the largest food distribution center in the world, 12.9% of Bronx residents live in a state of food insecurity.
One-quarter of Bronx residents do not eat enough nutritious food to live a healthy life, according to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Additionally, nearly half of all residents are reliant upon SNAP benefits.
“Food insecurity continues to be a major issue in our communities. With nearly 600,000 Bronx adults at risk of food insecurity in 2022 alone, we must double-down on our efforts to meet our community’s needs,” Dinowitz said. “I am grateful for the work of organizations like GrowNYC, who, through the Norwood Farmstand, have distributed thousands of pounds of fresh fruit and produce in Council District 11. Through discretionary funding, I have been able to support GrowNYC’s work, and over the next few months, will be distributing thousands of dollars in Health Bucks to members of our community. I want to thank the Bronx Borough President for partnering with our community in this critical endeavor.”
Gibson said her team will be distributing Health Bucks and other resources at a series of pop-ups in partnership with local farmers markets throughout August and September. Residents should check Gibson’s Health Bucks distribution schedule to find upcoming pop-up locations.
Health Bucks can be redeemed at any GrowNYC Greenmarket or Farmstand, regardless of location. GrowNYC’s website (grownyc.org) allows users to find the nearest market.
