RWDSU Joins in Supporting Legislation for Fresh Food for High Need Neighborhoods (4/12/10)

(l to r) U.S. Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY), RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer at today's event.
 
The RWDSU is part of a coalition of unions, community leaders, and elected officials that announced support for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative legislation being introduced by New York legislators Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez  (D-NY). 
 
The legislation would help create thousands of jobs and access to healthy fresh foods for so-called "desert" neighborhoods by building 2,100 supermarkets in high need neighborhoods across the country, including 273 stores in New York City. The legislation will provide $1 billion through loans and grants to help build the stores, which would service neighborhoods where healthy alternatives to fast food and junk food are not available.
 
RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum was among the speakers at the press conference, held at a Pathmark supermarket store on New York City's lower east side.
 
"Too many of our neighborhoods don't have access to a grocery store, leaving them with limited choices, higher prices, and limited access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Studies have shown that this problem affects 3 million residents in New York City and more than 23 million residents across the country," Appelbaum said.
 
The union leader also stressed that the proposed legislation would help create quality jobs for residents in neighborhoods that need them.
 
"Because in addition to access to healthy and affordable foods, what these communities are missing most are opportunities for jobs that will pay them more than poverty wages," Appelbaum added.