Food Justice for Queens
Queens Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Created by the Volunteer Services team, “Food Justice for Queens” is guided by the principle that access to healthy food is a human right. The goal of the program is to reduce barriers to reliable resources and information about nutrition and healthy eating.
Challenge/Opportunity
The library was faced with two major challenges when addressing the issue of food justice. The first was identifying a strategy to support equal access to healthy food without compromising the QPL’s primary function as a learning institution. The second was to position food justice as a human right regardless of ethnicity, culture, or income level, and to help remove the negative stigma associated with the need for assistance.
Key Elements of Innovation
The partnered with Food Bank for NYC to establish food pantries for the first time ever at select library locations where people receive fresh produce, perishable proteins and shelf-stable beverages, grains and canned items for free.
Achieved Outcomes
To date, the library has served over 2,800 households benefiting 12,000 people in Southeast Queens and continues to expand workshops focused on nutrition, and health and wellness.
