PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Yibing Zhou, Doctoral Student at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
2:00:50
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110 sec
Yibing Zhou, a doctoral student at the Tisch Food Center, presents testimony on the importance of access to fresh produce in New York City and the disparities in this access between different neighborhoods. She highlights the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption and the challenges faced by residents in lower-income areas.
- Upper East Side residents have better access to fresh produce and lower rates of diet-related diseases compared to South Bronx residents.
- Bodegas in neighborhoods with limited access to fresh produce often don't offer affordable, high-quality options.
- Household income is a strong predictor of fruit and vegetable consumption, emphasizing the need for increased access to affordable fresh produce citywide to promote health equity.
Yibing Zhou
2:00:50
Good afternoon.
2:00:51
My name is Ebing Zhou, a doctoral student at the Tisch Food Center.
2:00:54
I'm also a New York City resident, living in District 26.
2:00:59
As my colleague Oliver mentioned, access to, fresh nutritious produce is essential for both individual and community health.
2:01:07
Studies show that higher fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with longer life expectancy, lower rates of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, and lowered health care costs.
2:01:21
Unfortunately, many New York City residents in lower income neighborhoods face significant barriers to obtaining fresh produce compared to residents in wealthier areas.
2:01:33
For example, residents of the upper east side report higher fruit and vegetable consumption, lower rates of diet related diseases, and convenient access within 5 minutes to grocery stores with fresh produce.
2:01:48
By contrast, many residents in the South Bronx report living farther from fresh produce sources, consuming fewer fruits and vegetables and experiencing higher rates of chronic conditions.
2:02:01
In neighborhoods with limited access to fresh produce, bodegas often serve as primary food sources.
2:02:08
However, these stores rarely offer affordable high quality produce forcing the residents to rely on packaged foods that could contribute to poor health outcomes.
2:02:19
In addition, household income remains a strong predictor, of fruit and vegetable consumption, underscoring the need to increase access to affordable fresh produce citywide as a step towards health equity for all residents.
2:02:36
Now my colleague Christine, will talk more about the potential of urban agriculture.
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Testimony by Oliver Gonzalez-Yoakum, Research Associate at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
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Testimony by Christine Torrison, Masters Student at Laurie M. Tisch Center For Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University
