CITY HARVEST SURVEY

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: SPECIAL GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0219735
• Grant No.: 2009-34633-20210
• Proposal No.: 2009-05472
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2009
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2011
• Grant Year: 2009
• Program Code: [DD-J]- Nutrition Research, NY

Recipient Organization
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
ITHACA,NY 14853

Performing Department
Cooperative Extension

Non Technical Summary
Mobile Markets City Harvest has been distributing free produce to residents of the Morrisania-Air Rights, Andrew Jackson, and Melrose Houses of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) through our Mobile Market since 2005, Food distributions take place twice monthly with the help and dedication of community volunteers from NYCHA houses, as well as general City Harvest volunteers. Approximately five pounds of each produce item (typically two to four items per market) are distributed to each participant, based on the composition of their household (average of 3,1 individuals per households). In our current fiscal year, nearly 1,200 households have attended the market at least once and on average 450' households attend each market. In Fiscal Year 2009, City Harvest will help feed 260,000 New Yorkers each week by rescuing and distributing a record 26 rnillion pounds of food, free of charge, to a network of 600 . community food programs. bur food rescue concept is simple -,-we collect high-quality, surplus . food from restaurants, greenmarkets, wholesalers, grocers, farmers, and manufacturers, and . redistribute it to emergency food providers across New York City. In addition to our Mobile Market distributions, through the first three quarters of Fiscal Year 2009, City Harvest distributed 1,668,796 pounds of high-quality emergency food, including more than one million pounds of produce, to our 19 partner agencies in the Melrose areaof the South Bronx. During the Mobile Markets, City Harvest staff and volunteers conduct nutrition activities, which include one-time nutrition workshops and seminars, dissemination of nutrition-related materials and recipes, and simple food demonstrations with volunteer chefs. For instance, City Harvest's volunteer chefs have conducted more than 10 cooking demos at the Melrose Mobile Market during Fiscal Year 2009. During these lessons, the chefs prepare a two to three ounce portion of a healthy vegetable-based dish that is distributed to market attendees. Residents are then provided with a copy of each recipe and nutritional benefits to take home. The information shared with Mobile Market customers focuses on the food available on that day, with special information on how it can be incorporated into their diet and why it is important. Additional activities include building community partnerships with local organizations, supporting healthy food market-mechanisms, and working jointly with political leaders to advocate for better access to quality, nutrient-dense foods. Nutrition Education In addition to these one-time offerings at our Mobile Market, more in-depth, structured nutrition education courses, operating in six- or eight-week series are offered at strategic locations within the community. Our Nutrition Education staff will continue to conduct courses in the Melrose neighborhood over the next year, focusing on produce education and healthy planning, shopping, and cooking for families.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
704	6099	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
704 - Nutrition and Hunger in the Population;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

service initiative

education

nutrition

awareness

food distribution

community engagement

Goals / Objectives
Project Summary / Abstract City Harvest helps feed 260,000 New Yorkers each week by rescuing high-quality surplus food and distributing it to a network of 600 soup kitchens, food pantries, and other community food programs. In addition to providing immediate hunger relief, we help New Yorkers gain access to affordable, local, nutritious food, with the goal of creating sustained, long-term food security. Since 2005, as part of our Healthy Neighborhoods project, City Harvest has worked to improve access to healthy food by investing heavily in the Melrose neighborhood of the South Bronx. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Melrose Houses, Morrisania Air Rights, and Andrew Jackson Houses, were selected because of the combination of high poverty rates, food insecurity, and growing problems of diet-related disease. The objective of this special research-grant is to evaluate City Harvest's work in the Melrose neighborhood in the South Bronx. City Harvest's Healthy Neighborhoods is a combination of service initiatives with the goal of strengthening food security and reducing hunger. These initiatives include a bi-monthly Mobile Market, community engagement, emergency food distributions, and nutrition education. Through this project, and in conjunction with an outside evaluator, we will measure the effectiveness of these services with the desired outcomes including: 1) Improved access to fresh produce; 2) Increased demand for fresh produce; 3) Improved knowledge of diet-related issues; and 4) Positive changes in dietary behavior.

Project Methods
Project Summary / Abstract City Harvest helps feed 260,000 New Yorkers each week by rescuing high-quality surplus food and distributing it to a network of 600 soup kitchens, food pantries, and other community food programs. In addition to providing immediate hunger relief, we help New Yorkers gain access to affordable, local, nutritious food, with the goal of creating sustained, long-term food security Since 2005, as part of our Healthy Neighborhoods project, City Harvest has worked to improve access to healthy food by investing heavily in the Melrose neighborhood of the South Bronx, The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Melrose Houses, Morrisania Air Rights, and 'Andrew Jackson Houses, were selected because of the combination of high poverty rates, food insecurity, and growing problems of diet-related disease. The objective of this special research-grant is to evaluate City Harvest's work in the Melrose neighborhood in the South Bronx. City Harvest's Healthy Neighborhoods is a combination of service initiatives with the goal of strengthening food security and reducing hunger. These initiatives include a bi-monthly Mobile Market, community engagement, emergency food distributions, and nutrition education. Through this project, and in conjunction with an outside evaluator, we will measure the effectiveness of these services with the desired outcomes including: 1) Improved access to fresh produce; 2) Increased demand for fresh produce; 3) Improved knowledge of diet-related issues; and 4) Positive changes in dietary behavior.

Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Since 2004, City Harvest has provided free, fresh produce and nutrition education opportunities to the Melrose neighborhood in the South Bronx in an effort to address issues of nutritional behaviors, dietary health, and poverty. They identified several desired outcomes from this programming: 1. To increase access to and demand for high quality fresh produce and other nutrient-dense foods; 2. To increase awareness as to the causes and effects of nutrition-related diseases while providing the information and tools necessary to enable residents to improve their dietary health; and 3. To contribute to a positive change in dietary behavior. Between March and August 2010 Finch Network worked with City Harvest staff and volunteers, Melrose residents and partners to evaluate four key issues: 1. Behavioral changes in participant community engagement; 2. Attitude and behavioral changes towards food and health improvements/changes; 3. Change and perception of change in food availability and demand within the Melrose neighborhood; and 4. Program process effectiveness and efficiency. This project evaluated the efficacy of these efforts with several outputs including: 1. City Harvest distributed 1,793,422 pounds of free produce to program participants (1,765 households) between 2004 and 2010. 2. City Harvest conducted 46 cooking demonstrations at the Mobile Market during this time period, with nutrition education / healthy recipes included in 43 of these demonstrations. 3. City Harvest conducted 12 nutrition education classes, serving 99 individuals within the targeted community between June 2005 and December 2009. To form an evaluation of this project, a number of activities were conducted including: 1. Twenty six interviews were conducted with City Harvest staff, Mobile Market participants, and program allies. 2. One focus group was coordinated with program participants and volunteers. 3. 176 program participant surveys were completed. 4. 158 surveys of "non-participants" were completed. 5. A total of 60 food retail establishments and 63 food service establishments were identified in the Melrose neighborhood. A random sample of 27 bodegas and supermarkets were evaluated for produce availability, quality, and price; other healthy foods availability and price; and acceptance of Food Stamps and WIC. 6. Seven neighborhood store owners/managers were interviewed to provide qualitative feedback on the food retail environment. 7. A full evaluation report, with both quantitative and qualitative analysis, was completed by a third- party evaluator. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Magnitude of the Problem Rates of diet-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease among New York City's low-income residents are at epidemic levels. According to the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, deaths from heart disease are 1.2 times higher in low-income neighborhoods than in wealthier neighborhoods, and deaths related to diabetes and high blood pressure are 3.3 times higher. The effects of poor diets are felt most by low-income residents, who are surrounded by low-quality foods. With the costs of treating diet-related diseases also growing, these communities must be empowered to respond with sustainable solutions to combat these realities. The Melrose area of the Bronx straddles census districts with poverty rates well over 30.6 percent, with some as high as 50 percent. Areas in these districts have been ranked by the Food Bank for New York City as "at risk" and "highest at risk" for hunger. Over 25 percent of adults in the area are obese, and 16 percent have diabetes. Further, our Melrose target area is located in Community Board 1 of the South Bronx, which has the lowest median income in the city, the lowest rate of home ownership, and the highest poverty rates - at 40 to 45 percent. The Melrose Community Food Assessment (CFA) in the Bronx, conducted in 2006, found that the number of unhealthy food retailers outnumbers healthy retailers five to one, and healthy foods are higher priced. Individual food choices were largely made based on convenience, budget realities, and limited knowledge of how to prepare food and what foods are healthy. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
City Harvest's Melrose Mobile Market has been in operation since 2004. During this period, the Mobile Market has distributed fresh produce and provided nutrition education to the residents of the Melrose neighborhood living in the Melrose, President Andrew Jackson, and Morrisania Air Rights Housing Developments of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). A program evaluation of the Melrose Mobile Market was conducted by Finch Network during April 2010-July 2010 and examined: behavioral changes in participant community engagement; attitude and behavioral changes towards food and health; change and perception of change in food availability and demand within the Melrose neighborhood; and program process effectiveness and efficiency. The evaluation found that City Harvest has made important inroads in all of these areas and effected positive change for the Melrose residents participating in their programs. Overall, the evaluation found City Harvest has made and/or contributed to effecting change in all four areas of inquiry. The evaluation documents: 1. How the Mobile Market has become a gathering point for the Melrose community and started a community conversation about food and health. 2. Participants' understanding of the importance of produce in a healthy diet and the integration of Mobile Market food into budgets and menus. 3. The change in participants' dietary habits and how this behavior has positively affected their and their families' health. 4. The shift in access and demand for healthy food in Melrose over the past five years with residents purchasing more whole grain foods, produce and low-fat dairy. 5. City Harvest`s role in bringing nutritious food, nutrition education and volunteer opportunities to Melrose residents and successful improvements in program effectiveness and efficiency throughout the programming period. Key impacts include: 1. 28.6% of participants reporting high blood pressure said the market had improved their health by lowering their blood pressure. 2. 26.9% of participants reporting high cholesterol said the market had improved their health by lowering their cholesterol. 3. 22.5% of participants reporting diabetes, said the market had improved their health through better blood sugar levels The evaluation provides evidence that City Harvest's Mobile Market has effected change in residents' access to and demand for nutrient rich food, increased awareness about nutrition, and contributed to a change in participants' dietary behavior. It also documents the extent to which the Mobile Market has become an important community focal point, providing a regular opportunity for residents to gather and to interact with one another. The Mobile Market and Nutrition Education programs have provided a forum for the Melrose community to not only talk about the importance of healthy, nutritious food, but to also access this food and integrate it into their diets. Participants have welcomed the opportunity to bring City Harvest produce home to their table and use the resources wisely and effectively.

Publications

• 2009/09 TO 2010/08 
Finch Network, LLC. Melrose Mobile Market Evaluation: An evaluation of the City Harvest Melrose Mobile Market including a review of program effectiveness, assessment of achievement of outcome goals, an analysis of challenges, and recommendations for future efforts. October 2010.

Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Obesity, health issues and poverty have become inextricably linked over the past several years. The change in the structure of food prices over time has resulted in skyrocketing obesity rates disproportionately affecting those with the lowest incomes and lowest education. The increase in convenience foods and fast foods as viable, affordable food options for lower-income households and the lack of affordable, healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods have resulted in the increase in serious health and weight issues for underprivileged families and individuals. For the past 6 years, City Harvest has provided free, fresh produce and nutrition education opportunities to the Melrose neighborhood in the South Bronx in an effort to address issues of nutritional behaviors, dietary health, and poverty. They identified several desired outcomes from this programming: 1. To increase access to and demand for high quality fresh produce and other nutrient-dense foods; 2. To increase awareness as to the causes and effects of nutrition-related diseases while providing the information and tools necessary to enable residents to improve their dietary health; and 3. To contribute to a positive change in dietary behavior. Between March and August 2010 Finch Network worked with City Harvest staff and volunteers, Melrose residents and partners to evaluate four key issues: 1. Behavioral changes in participant community engagement; 2. Attitude and behavioral changes towards food and health improvements/changes; 3. Change and perception of change in food availability and demand within the Melrose neighborhood; and 4. Program process effectiveness and efficiency. This project evaluated the efficacy of these efforts with several outputs including: 1. City Harvest distributed 1,793,422 pounds of free produce to program participants (1,765 households) between 2004 and 2010. 2. City Harvest conducted 46 cooking demonstrations at the Mobile Market during this time period, with nutrition education / healthy recipes included in 43 of these demonstrations. 3. City Harvest conducted 12 nutrition education classes, serving 99 individuals within the targeted community between June 2005 and December 2009. To form an evaluation of this project, a number of activities were conducted including: 1. Twenty six interviews were conducted with City Harvest staff, Mobile Market participants, and program allies. 2. One focus group was coordinated with program participants and volunteers. 3. 176 program participant surveys were completed. 4. 158 surveys of "non-participants" were completed. 5. A total of 60 food retail establishments and 63 food service establishments were identified in the Melrose neighborhood. A random sample of 27 bodegas and supermarkets were evaluated for produce availability, quality, and price; other healthy foods availability and price; and acceptance of Food Stamps and WIC. 6. Seven neighborhood store owners/managers were interviewed to provide qualitative feedback on the food retail environment. 6. A full evaluation report, with both quantitative and qualitative analysis, was completed by a third- party evaluator. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Magnitude of the Problem Rates of diet-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease among New York City's low-income residents are at epidemic levels. According to the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, deaths from heart disease are 1.2 times higher in low-income neighborhoods than in wealthier neighborhoods, and deaths related to diabetes and high blood pressure are 3.3 times higher. The effects of poor diets are felt most by low-income residents, who are surrounded by low-quality foods. With the costs of treating diet-related diseases also growing, these communities must be empowered to respond with sustainable solutions to combat these realities. The Melrose area of the Bronx straddles census districts with poverty rates well over 30.6 percent, with some as high as 50 percent. Areas in these districts have been ranked by the Food Bank for New York City as "at risk" and "highest at risk" for hunger. Over 25 percent of adults in the area are obese, and 16 percent have diabetes. Further, our Melrose target area is located in Community Board 1 of the South Bronx, which has the lowest median income in the city, the lowest rate of home ownership, and the highest poverty rates - at 40 to 45 percent. The Melrose Community Food Assessment (CFA) in the Bronx, conducted in 2006, found that the number of unhealthy food retailers outnumbers healthy retailers five to one, and healthy foods are higher priced. Individual food choices were largely made based on convenience, budget realities, and limited knowledge of how to prepare food and what foods are healthy. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
City Harvest's Melrose Mobile Market has been in operation for six years. During this period, the Mobile Market has distributed fresh produce and provided nutrition education to the residents of the Melrose neighborhood living in the Melrose, President Andrew Jackson, and Morrisania Air Rights Housing Developments of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). A program evaluation of the Melrose Mobile Market was conducted by Finch Network during April 2010-July 2010 and examined: behavioral changes in participant community engagement; attitude and behavioral changes towards food and health; change and perception of change in food availability and demand within the Melrose neighborhood; and program process effectiveness and efficiency. The evaluation found that City Harvest has made important inroads in all of these areas and effected positive change for the Melrose residents participating in their programs. Overall, the evaluation has found City Harvest has made and/or contributed to effecting change in all four areas of inquiry. The evaluation documents: 1. How the Mobile Market has become a gathering point for the Melrose community and started a community conversation about food and health. 2. Participants' understanding of the importance of produce in a healthy diet and the integration of Mobile Market food into budgets and menus. 3. The change in participants' dietary habits and how this behavior has positively affected their and their families' health. 4. The shift in access and demand for healthy food in Melrose over the past five years with residents purchasing more whole grain foods, produce and low-fat dairy. 5. City Harvest`s role in bringing nutritious food, nutrition education and volunteer opportunities to Melrose residents and successful improvements in program effectiveness and efficiency throughout the programming period. Key impacts include: 1. 28.6% of participants reporting high blood pressure said the market had improved their health by lowering their blood pressure. 2. 26.9% of participants reporting high cholesterol said the market had improved their health by lowering their cholesterol. 3. 22.5% of participants reporting diabetes, said the market had improved their health through better blood sugar levels The evaluation provides evidence that City Harvest's Mobile Market has effected change in residents' access to and demand for nutrient rich food, increased awareness about nutrition, and contributed to a change in participants' dietary behavior. It also documents the extent to which the Mobile Market has become an important community focal point, providing a regular opportunity for residents to gather and to interact with one another. The Mobile Market and Nutrition Education programs have provided a forum for the Melrose community to not only talk about the importance of healthy, nutritious food, but to also access this food and integrate it into their diets. Participants have welcomed the opportunity to bring City Harvest produce home to their table and use the resources wisely and effectively.

Publications

• Finch Network, LLC. Melrose Mobile Market Evaluation: An evaluation of the City Harvest Melrose Mobile Market including a review of program effectiveness, assessment of achievement of outcome goals, an analysis of challenges, and recommendations for future efforts. October 2010.