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Q&A
Lack of refrigerated storage space in New York City
0:39:18
·
87 sec
Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about the shortage of refrigerated storage space in New York City despite its large population. Kate MacKenzie from the Mayor's Office of Food Policy explains that high real estate costs are a major factor in the lack of cold storage facilities. She also mentions ongoing studies to assess needed capacity and plans for new refrigeration at the Hunts Point produce market.
- High real estate costs in NYC contribute to the shortage of cold storage space
- Studies are being conducted to determine the necessary cold storage capacity
- Plans for new refrigeration facilities at Hunts Point produce market are in progress
- Proper storage temperatures and handling by grocery store workers are also crucial for produce freshness
Amanda Farías
0:39:18
Thank you chair.
0:39:20
Food system experts say produce freshness depends on adequate refrigerated storage space, yet we know in New York City in our region we really don't have that many refrigerated storage spaces and warehousing considering the size of the population that we have to serve.
0:39:37
Has MOFP done any research into why New York City and the region have such a shortfall of cold storage space for produce?
Kate MacKenzie
0:39:44
Do you want to take this?
0:39:47
So I in my testimony, I noted the very, very high cost of real estate in this city.
0:39:53
And I know that there have been some studies that are looking at colds, like, what is the capacity that's needed?
0:39:59
And certainly, as the produce market is modernized, I referred to, I believe, a whole brand new set of of refrigeration specifically for produce.
0:40:12
I just wanna also point out what the council member Brewer said in her remarks about the the really how how grocery store workers are are really working hard at this.
0:40:22
And I wanna lift that up too because it's also about, you know, the the proper, like, storage temperatures and what goes where, and so much of that is something that the grocery stores are are supporting as well to make sure that we don't have just, you know, lettuce on the floor but it's also refrigerated in the right way.
0:40:40
So I do know is there anything else that my colleague from EDC might like to share on that?