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By working in conjunction with local health groups, the South Bronx Food Cooperative will offer a
variety of services to help educate and provide members with the benefits of a healthy lifestyle
such as:
Cooking classes
Nutrition consultations provided by certified specialist
Health Literature
A location for community based events
Job training services *
* The cooperative will offer job-training services to members who request such assistance. Job training will
require those members to work additional hours at the cooperative performing specific duties. Upon
completion of training programs, members will be assisted in finding employment either within the cooperative
(if available) or with an external employer.
Community benefit & goals
Health
The SBFC will create and engage in programs that affect the health of the South Bronx
community. According to a 2005 DOHMH Community Health Survey, approximately 29% of South
Bronx residents are obese or overweight, contributing to high rates of diabetes, heart disease
and asthma.
The South Bronx Food Cooperative seeks to provide nutritious food choices to help prevent and
treat these illnesses. Studies have shown that a healthy diet will reduce one's chances of
developing such conditions. A healthy diet will also reduce the chance of developing
complications from diseases such as diabetes, some forms of cancer, high cholesterol and high
blood pressure, to name a few.
Waste not want not
The cooperative also seeks reduce hunger both locally and citywide. Almost 35% of Bronx
residents live below the poverty line, double the percent in NYC overall. With many are ineligible
for government subsidies (especially recent immigrants), hundreds are unable to provide a meal
(never mind a nutritious meal) for their families on any given night.
The SBFC will donate “un-sellable” goods to local soup kitchens and pantries. In the future the
SBFC will seek to establish its own local soup kitchen.
All in together now
Most importantly, the cooperative will foster community unity and empowerment through
networking, mentorship, imposing democratic systems of development and community outreach.
By providing sustainable means of economic opportunities the SBFC will be able to re-invest in
the community both financially and socially.
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