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Q&A
Council Member Riley questions EDC on FRESH program and food deserts
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Council Member Kevin C. Riley engages in a Q&A session with representatives from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Mayor's Office of Food Policy about the FRESH program, which incentivizes supermarkets in underserved areas. The discussion covers the program's mission, achievements, and criteria, as well as questions about food deserts and support for existing grocery stores.
- The FRESH program has supported 43 supermarkets, with 17 more in development, benefiting over 200,000 New Yorkers.
- EDC does not currently incentivize existing grocery stores to lower prices through the FRESH program.
- The definition and identification of food deserts are discussed, including the need to consider online food purchases in modern assessments.
Kevin C. Riley
0:56:51
Thank you Chair Brewer and Chair Farias.
0:56:54
Good morning, good afternoon, how are you doing today?
0:56:57
Just a few questions regarding the Fresh program.
0:56:59
In 02/2009 the Fresh program was launched and up to date and please correct me if I'm wrong.
0:57:06
Twenty eight projects has obtained the fresh tax incentives and 22 have completed it.
0:57:13
Can you briefly describe the mission and current priorities that EDC has pertaining to the fresh program?
Michelle Lamberti
0:57:19
Sure.
0:57:19
Thank you for the question, council member Riley.
0:57:22
So as you described, fresh program is a way that we are able to help supermarkets come into communities, particularly like low income communities, poverty burdened communities, communities that lack access to food.
0:57:36
And so to date, we're excited to say that it's actually 43 IDA and DCP incentivized fresh supermarkets are open, and we have 17 more in development.
0:57:47
In terms of the program, my colleague Kate mentioned there are specific criteria, so it has to be like 500 square feet.
0:57:54
It has to have a 30% available for perishable foods, and we're able to provide a couple of different incentives.
0:58:02
So it's like a building tax stabilization, a land tax abatement, reduction of mortgage recording taxes.
0:58:09
And so generally, I I can speak generally about how the IDA would evaluate.
0:58:13
I think looking at those criteria, making sure it meets the criteria of the neighborhoods that those that really need those supermarkets the most.
0:58:23
And also know we're really excited that over 200,000 New Yorkers live within a quarter of a mile of an IDA fresh supermarket.
0:58:31
So really happy with that program.
0:58:33
Those supermarkets as you know exist in all five boroughs.
0:58:37
Bronx is actually our number two borough in terms of number of supermarkets.
0:58:41
But yeah, happy to try to answer any other questions or if I don't know to cut back.
Kevin C. Riley
0:58:44
Does EDC incentivize existing grocery stores to lower prices through examples like the fresh market?
0:58:49
I mean, the fresh program?
Michelle Lamberti
0:58:51
I don't believe so council member.
0:58:52
I really think it's for getting new supermarkets or I think it's new supermarkets or supermarkets who are entering in an existing or newly created space to begin operations.
Kevin C. Riley
0:59:02
Does EDC keep record of MWBE businesses that apply for the fresh program tax incentive?
Michelle Lamberti
0:59:09
I think I'm I'm pretty sure we do, but I can check on that and get back
Christopher Leon Johnson
0:59:11
to you.
Kevin C. Riley
0:59:12
Can you get that information to me?
Amanda Farías
0:59:13
Yeah.
0:59:13
Course.
Kevin C. Riley
0:59:14
When identifying a food desert, can you identify what metrics you guys utilize to identify food deserts in New York City?
Michelle Lamberti
0:59:23
Yeah, and I can get back to you in specifics.
0:59:25
I know DCP has a map, and I don't know if my colleague's able to talk to this more, that kind of lays out the criteria and also the neighborhoods in the city that are eligible.
Kate MacKenzie
0:59:42
Influential in this and I will say that since, and you pointed out the fresh program started in I think it was 02/2008, '2 thousand and '9, how we buy food has changed a lot since then.
0:59:52
And I'm particularly interested also in how we factor in things like online purchases of food to determine a a proximity of of grocery stores in neighborhoods.
1:00:04
So that's something that we don't have the perfect science to yet, but we do know that more and more people are able to buy food online.
1:00:12
And yes, there are pros and cons to all of that, but looking at that when it comes to neighborhood proximity to quality grocers.
Kevin C. Riley
1:00:20
Okay.
1:00:22
And last question.
1:00:25
If large grocery chains divest from neighborhoods, does EDC maintain awareness of the situation and attempt to conduct outreach with smaller vendors in the area?
Michelle Lamberti
1:00:37
The I I'm I'm and I know that our fresh program is always looking to, provide more information about what's available.
1:00:44
I'm not sure in in particular about when larger supermarket's closed, but happy to look into that and get back
Gale A. Brewer
1:00:49
to Thank
Christopher Leon Johnson
1:00:50
you.
Michelle Lamberti
1:00:50
Thank you.
Kevin C. Riley
1:00:51
Thank you, chair.