Nourishing our Community: A Food & Nutrition Education Project in the Bronx

Grantee Name

Phipps Community Development Corporation

Funding Area

Special Projects Fund

Publication Date

September 2008

Grant Amount

$100,000

Grant Date:

January 2007 — December 2007

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The South Bronx has more obese residents than elsewhere in New York City—27% of its residents, compared to 20% of New Yorkers citywide—according to a 2006 a Federal community survey.

Contributing to the high rates of obesity and diabetes are unhealthy eating habits, which result in part from a lack of opportunities for acquiring fresh produce. The project sought to provide nutrition information and healthy food options for people living in an impoverished urban area.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Young residents learned about food production and healthy fresh foods through a community gardening project, after-school environmental education workshops, and a teen cooking program.
Residents used the market to buy fresh produce and learn about ways to cook it.
Returning customers said they liked that the food was fresh and affordable and that they had changed their shopping habits to include the market.

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