Urban Food Policy Forum: New Opportunities for Improving Food within New York City Housing Authority Communities

RSVP: http://www.cunyurbanfoodpolicy.org/events/2017/2/23/urban-food-policy-forum-nycha-food-initiatives The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the largest public housing authority in North America, representing 8.1 percent of New York City’s rental apartments and housing 4.7 percent of our city’s population. To many planners and health advocates, the NYCHA community is well-positioned for food innovation, which has led to the development of several public/private initiatives encompassing urban agriculture, good food entrepreneurship, and increased quality and quantity of food retail outlets. This forum looks at several current, past and proposed food initiatives focused on engaging residents at NYCHA developments across the city. Panelists: Christine Caruso, Assistant Professor, Eastern Connecticut State University will discuss her study of the Food Environment around NYCHA’s Queens Bridge Houses Shanna Castillo, Director of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability at the New York City Housing Authority will discuss her work with the NYCHA Food Business Pathways program Howard Husock, Vice President for Research and Publicationsat the Manhattan Institute will summarize findings from his report looking at development opportunities at NYCHA properties called Turning Food Deserts into Oases Andrea Mata, Senior Manager for Community Health Initiatives at the New York City Housing Authority will discuss her work with the Farms at NYCHA project Prudence Thomas, Health and Nutrition Director, and Bill Fink, Associate Executive Director for Development and External Affairs, SCAN-NY, will discuss "Cafe Express," a NYCHA resident-run healthy food pop-up cafe.