Ocasio-Cortez Joins Throggs Neck Community Alliance and GrowNYC for a Food Distribution in Throggs Neck

Over 350 community members attended and 1,500 pounds of fresh produce, halal turkeys, and chicken were distributed.

The Bronx, N.Y. - This weekend, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) joined the Throggs Neck Community Alliance and GrowNYC for a food distribution in Throggs Neck. The fresh produce was purchased directly from regional farmers and distributed from GrowNYC’s Regional Food Hub to community members for free. 

“The Bronx is home to one of the largest produce markets in the world, yet too many of our neighbors do not know where their next meal is coming from. I am immensely grateful for the work of community partners like the Throggs Neck Community Alliance Food Pantry and GrowNYC, who are ensuring our community members can still put food on the table,” said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “Two years ago, I was proud to secure $1,000,000 in federal funding toward the establishment of GrowNYC’s Regional Food Hub. This weekend, we saw those federal funds at work, connecting our neighbors on Edison Avenue with fresh fruits and vegetables ahead of Thanksgiving.”

“Grow NYC has been an incredible partner in our quest to eradicate food insecurity in our Bronx communities of Throggs Neck and Soundview, in the backdrop of rising prices. When the “Food for Families” funding froze, we were forced to place our Soundview location on pause and our families were devastated because they rely on these nutritional fruits and vegetables to meet the needs of their families. Throggs Neck Community Alliance is grateful to GrowNYC because the newly renewed partnership means more families can go to sleep at night in the poorest district without worrying about where their next meal will come from. GrowNYC helped to make that happen,” said Angela Torres, President and Executive Director of the Throggs Neck Community Alliance.

"The instability surrounding federal nutrition assistance puts our most vulnerable neighbors and the small farmers who feed our city in an impossible position," said Marcel Van Ooyen, CEO of GrowNYC. "Our 'Food for Families' initiative is a rapid deployment of our existing infrastructure to bridge this immediate gap. We are stepping up to ensure that healthy, fresh food remains accessible to New Yorkers and that farmers can continue to maintain viable businesses during this holiday season."

After losing federal funding earlier this year, GrowNYC and Throggs Neck Community Alliance had to stop the free food distribution partnership. Through emergency fundraising efforts, GrowNYC was able to step in and restore the program.

This renewed partnership is a part of Grow NYC’s “Food for Families” program, a newly launched emergency food initiative meant to combat rising food insecurity.

Videos from the distribution are available here.

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