Veggie Van in NY

With its absence of grocery stores, East Harlem is considered a food desert. Soon, however, a refrigerated van stocked with affordable produce will roam the streets and stop at senior centers and city housing projects in the neighborhood. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer announced the Veggie Van initiative, which is partnering with NYC Greenmarket, the group that runs the city’s farmers’ markets, during his State of the Borough address. Stringer hopes to expand the project to other parts of the city as well. Produce will be purchased at wholesale food markets, making them affordable; the van will also accept food stamps and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.