NYC Aging to Distribute 24,000 Bags of Fresh Produce to Older New Yorkers through Citywide Pop-Up Events this August

NYC AGING TO DISTRIBUTE 24,000 BAGS OF FRESH PRODUCE TO OLDER NEW YORKERS THROUGH CITYWIDE POP-UP EVENTS THIS AUGUST

Initiative expands access to healthy food through more than 60 distribution events across all five boroughs amid ongoing concerns over food insecurity

New York, NY - The New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) today announced a month-long initiative to help combat food insecurity among older New Yorkers by distributing approximately 24,000 bags of fresh produce at dozens of free pop-up events across all five boroughs throughout August.

Working in partnership with eight community-based organizations, NYC Aging is funding these weekly produce distribution events designed to bring fresh fruits and vegetables directly into neighborhoods where older adults can easily access them. Each participating provider will distribute approximately 600 bags of fresh produce each week, expanding food options for thousands of New Yorkers age 60 and older.

"Through this exciting initiative, NYC Aging is bringing fresh, nutritious produce directly into communities across the five boroughs," said NYC Aging Commissioner Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie. "Together with our community partners, we are helping ensure that thousands of older adults have greater access to healthy food while connecting them to the broader network of services available through NYC Aging."

"NYC Aging's Pop-Up Produce initiative, a first-of-its-kind program, reflects our administration's commitment to make New York City more affordable while ensuring older adults have access to nutritious food in the communities where they live," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. "We are proud to partner with Commissioner Dr. Scott-McKenzie, her team, and the network of community-based organizations to produce new, innovative ways to deliver vital resources to older New Yorkers in need."

The initiative comes at a time when many older adults continue to face rising food costs and increasing financial pressures. Many New Yorkers age 60 and older live on fixed incomes and have been affected by recent reductions to food assistance programs, including SNAP and Medicaid, making reliable access to fresh, nutritious food even more challenging.

The initiative is made possible through partnerships with:

• Bay Ridge Center
• Encore Community Services
• Hamilton Madison House
• Homecrest Community Services
• Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA)
• Jewish Community Center of Staten Island
• Korean Community Services
• Mosholu Montefiore Community Center

In addition to these pop-up events, the agency provides congregate meals at 300+ older adult centers citywide and home-delivered meals to homebound older New Yorkers. Older New Yorkers are encouraged to attend any of the scheduled produce distribution events or contact Aging Connect (212-AGING-NYC or 212-224-6469) to learn more about the initiative and other nutrition programs available year-round.

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COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF DISTRIBUTION EVENTS^*

BROOKLYN:

August 6^th (10:00am): Bay Ridge OAC - 15 Bay Ridge Avenue, 11220

August 7^th (10:00am): Bay Ridge OAC - 15 Bay Ridge Avenue, 11220

August 7^th (11:00am): Bensonhurst OAC - 6915 15th Avenue, 11228

August 13^th (10:00am): Bay Ridge OAC - 15 Bay Ridge Avenue, 11220

August 14^th (10:00am): Bay Ridge OAC - 15 Bay Ridge Avenue, 11220

August 14^th (11:00am): Bensonhurst OAC - 6915 15th Avenue, 11228

August 20^th (10:00am): Bay Ridge OAC - 15 Bay Ridge Avenue, 11220

August 21^st (10:00am): Bay Ridge OAC - 15 Bay Ridge Avenue, 11220

August 21^st (11:00am): Bensonhurst OAC - 6915 15th Avenue, 11228

August 27^th (10:00am): Bay Ridge OAC - 15 Bay Ridge Avenue, 11220

August 28^th (10:00am): Bay Ridge OAC - 15 Bay Ridge Avenue, 11220

August 28^th (11:00am): Bensonhurst OAC - 6915 15th Avenue, 11228

THE BRONX:

August 6^th (9:00am): MMCC Main Building - 3450 Dekalb Avenue, 10467

August 6^th (9:00am): Marble Hill House - 5365 Broadway, 10463

August 13^th (9:00am): MMCC Main Building - 3450 Dekalb Avenue, 10467

August 13^th (9:00am): Marble Hill House - 5365 Broadway, 10463

August 20^th (9:00am): MMCC Main Building - 3450 Dekalb Avenue, 10467

August 20^th (9:00am): Marble Hill House - 5365 Broadway, 10463

August 27^th (9:00am): MMCC Main Building - 3450 Dekalb Avenue, 10467

August 27^th (9:00am): Marble Hill House - 5365 Broadway, 10463

MANHATTAN:

August 4^th (11:00am): Aging Through the Arts - 239 West 49th Street, 10019

August 5^th (1:00pm): City Hall OAC - 100 Gold Street, 10038

August 6^th (11:00am): Aging Through the Arts - 239 West 49th Street, 10019

August 7^th (1:00pm): City Hall OAC - 100 Gold Street, 10038

August 11^th (11:00am): Aging Through the Arts - 239 West 49th Street, 10019

August 12^th (1:00pm): City Hall OAC - 100 Gold Street, 10038

August 13^th (11:00am): Aging Through the Arts - 239 West 49th Street, 10019

August 14^th (1:00pm): City Hall OAC - 100 Gold Street, 10038

August 18^th (11:00am): Aging Through the Arts - 239 West 49th Street, 10019

August 19^th (1:00pm): City Hall OAC - 100 Gold Street, 10038

August 20^th (11:00am): Aging Through the Arts - 239 West 49th Street, 10019

August 21^st (1:00pm): City Hall OAC - 100 Gold Street, 10038

August 25^th (11:00am): Aging Through the Arts - 239 West 49th Street, 10019

August 26^th (1:00pm): City Hall OAC - 100 Gold Street, 10038

August 27^th (11:00am): Aging Through the Arts - 239 West 49th Street, 10019

August 28^th (1:00pm): City Hall OAC - 100 Gold Street, 10038

QUEENS:

August 3^rd (10:00am): Flushing OAC - 38-24 149th St, Flushing, NY 11354

August 4^th (9:00am): Brookdale Village - 131 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, 11691

August 6^th (9:00am): Brookdale Village - 131 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, 11691

August 10^th (10:00am): Flushing OAC - 38-24 149th St, Flushing, NY 11354

August 11^th (9:00am): Brookdale Village - 131 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, 11691

August 13^th (9:00am): Brookdale Village - 131 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, 11691

August 18^th (9:00am): Brookdale Village - 131 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, 11691

August 20^th (9:00am): Brookdale Village - 131 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, 11691

August 24^th (10:00am): Flushing OAC - 38-24 149th St, Flushing, NY 11354

August 25^th (9:00am): Brookdale Village - 131 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, 11691

August 27^th (9:00am): Brookdale Village - 131 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, 11691

August 31^st (10:00am): Flushing OAC - 38-24 149th St, Flushing, NY 11354

STATEN ISLAND:

August 3^rd (10:00am): Avis South Shore - 1297 Arthur Kill Road, 10312

August 4^th (10:00am): Avis South Shore - 1297 Arthur Kill Road, 10312

August 6^th (10:00am): Stapleton OAC - 189 Gordon Street, 10304

August 7^th (10:00am): Stapleton OAC - 189 Gordon Street, 10304

August 10^th (10:00am): Stapleton OAC - 189 Gordon Street, 10304

August 11^th (10:00am): Stapleton OAC - 189 Gordon Street, 10304

August 13^th (10:00am): Avis South Shore - 1297 Arthur Kill Road, 10312

August 14^th (10:00am): Avis South Shore - 1297 Arthur Kill Road, 10312

August 18^th (10:00am): Avis South Shore - 1297 Arthur Kill Road, 10312

August 19^th (10:00am): Avis South Shore - 1297 Arthur Kill Road, 10312

August 20^th (10:00am): Stapleton OAC - 189 Gordon Street, 10304

August 21^st (10:00am): Stapleton OAC - 189 Gordon Street, 10304

August 24^th (10:00am): Stapleton OAC - 189 Gordon Street, 10304

August 26^th (10:00am): Stapleton OAC - 189 Gordon Street, 10304

August 27^th (10:00am): Avis South Shore - 1297 Arthur Kill Road, 10312

August 28^th (10:00am): Avis South Shore - 1297 Arthur Kill Road, 10312

^*Schedule is subject to change. Those interested in participating are strongly encouraged

to call Aging Connect or the distribution site prior to attending.