New York City is plagued with ‘food deserts’, or places where it’s harder to find fresh groceries and healthy foods. These areas are commonly more impoverished neighborhoods, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is implementing a Building Healthy Communities Initiative to fight back against these dry spots void of good food.
Food Deserts Commonly Have A Higher Rate of Obesity and Diabetes
Along with higher density of population and crime, the 12 ‘food deserts’ de Blasio is planning to tackle alongside are in neighborhoods that have a high obesity and diabetes rate. This multi-million dollar partnership with private and public companies, including Unilever, the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund and the New York State Health Foundation. The Community Parks Initiative has also pledged to help these communities flourish and have access to healthier foods.
De Blasio Plans to Build Urban Farms All Over New York City
Within the next three years, the public-private partnerships plan to build urban farms on New York City Housing Authority sites, and these areas will also get funding for pedestrian plazas, farmers markets and outdoor exercising areas.
These urban farms will be manned by people with public housing, and will be trained to be able to produce and cook the foods made in these urban farms. In order to make it even more beneficial, if a worker brings a bag of compost to the farm, the same weight will be given to them in fresh produce.
Would Urban Farms in New York City Really Work?
This initiative is naturally positive, and hopefully it will bring a kind of oasis to food deserts, and not just a mere mirage. For communities that don’t have access to a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, these urban farms can come as a great help.
