City Harvest Steps Up Fight Against Hunger In New York City

NEW YORK CITY — With over 1.5 million New Yorkers facing food shortages this winter, City Harvest is stopping at nothing to ensure no one goes hungry.

The organization — the largest food rescue in the city — is ramping up its efforts through the holiday season as the coronavirus pandemic continues to have negative impacts on the economy.

The New York Department of Labor estimates the city had a 14.1 percent unemployment rate in September, up from 3.7 percent a year prior.

Through the week of Thanksgiving, the organization will continue its turkey delivery tradition, providing more than 12,000 frozen turkeys to food panties, soup kitchens and other community partners throughout the city, City Harvest said in a news release. The organization is on track to donate a record number of turkeys this year.

City Harvest's fleet of food trucks is also continuing to deliver free fresh produce across the five boroughs, and its "Mobile Markets" continue to operate.

The markets, according to City Harvest's website, are farmers market-like settings where community members can pick up fresh produce and learn to make healthy meals. They can also participate in wellness programs and blood pressure screenings.

City Harvest's markets provide over 3 million pounds of produce to nearly 10,000 households each year, the website states. Further, City Harvest said it served 98 percent more households in September 2020 than one year prior.

A map of locations providing free food across New York City can be viewed online.

City Harvest this year will also continue its annual tradition of teaming up with the Daily News for "The Daily News Food Drive," which continues through January 2021.

Donations for the food drive can be made of non-perishable items and can be taken to any FDNY firehouse or NYPD precinct. Orders of groceries can also be ordered online and delivered to City Harvest's warehouse.

Jennifer McLean, City Harvest CEO, said the organization will also offer holiday meal bags at its annual Repack to Give Back event.

"Even though we can't be together this holiday season, we can still stand together to get meals to New Yorkers in need. City Harvest remains focused on rescuing and delivering food for children, families, seniors, and the growing number of New Yorkers in need as we contend with the devastating economic fallout of COVID-19 and enter the uncertain fall and winter months ahead," McLean said in a statement.

"In addition to our regular operations of rescuing and delivering food for our neighbors in need, we are also working to ensure families have access to holiday-specific produce and shelf-stable items. This month, we will also be packing holiday meal bags at our annual Repack to Give Back event, and will also be loading our trucks with thousands of turkeys and delivering them to soup kitchens and food pantries across the five boroughs so that all New Yorkers can sit down for a Thanksgiving meal with their families, even during these challenging times,” she said.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.