NYC's Hunts Point Produce Market central to mayor's initial $40 million investment

NEW YORK — Hunts Point Produce Market has needed modernizing — a serious, comprehensive update to its infrastructure — for at least 50 years.

But as market leaders have said for years, they can't fund it alone. This effort will require significant investment from several levels of government to ensure the safety of the food supply and people in the most densely populated region of the U.S.

So, New York City Councilmember Amanda Farías, chairperson of the Committee on Economic Development, is pretty proud that Mayor Eric Adams is backing his “Hunts Point Forward” commitment with $40 million, according to a news release.

Released June 15, the plan outlines more than 70 short- and long-term recommendations in the next 15 years for the South Bronx industrial and residential neighborhood that includes one of the biggest wholesale produce terminal markets in the U.S.

“This plan addresses the most critical needs of the neighborhood by facing the issues of food insecurity and environmental justice head on,” Farías said in the release. This is “a community who has long needed and is more than deserving of these long-term investments, and the Hunts Point Market itself that has had no investments made in over 50 years.”

This $40 million investment from Adams is an "initial" financial commitment, according to the release. In the mayor's Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery, he indicated $140 million would go toward Hunts Point infrastructure and community priorities, including $40 million in city capital funding for local open spaces and infrastructure. The plan’s recommendations include creating family-sustaining jobs, improving public safety, enhancing community health and access to healthy food, promoting environmental justice, and delivering upgrades to open space, transportation, and other key community infrastructure.

“My vision for the city’s economic comeback starts right here in Hunts Point, in a community that kept the entire city fed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Adams said in the release. “This plan delivers immediate support and a long-term vision …”

A few recommendations that pertain to the produce market include:

• Making the neighborhood a model of industrial sustainability and resiliency, while addressing decades of environmental injustices, by continuing to invest in facilities within the Food Distribution Center that are vulnerable to climate change, identifying the next phase of resiliency investments and continuing to advocate for funding to redevelop the produce market into a modern facility.
• Connecting Hunts Point residents to local industrial jobs through a variety of workforce development strategies, including a partnership between the New York City Department of Small Business Services and Food Distribution Center tenants to broaden access to open positions.
• Increasing access to affordable fresh produce through youth-run farm stands and a new grocery store in The Peninsula redevelopment.

The core values of this plan align with the values of Kate MacKenzie, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy.

“It connects essential food distribution businesses to local residents through job opportunities and expanded healthy food access,” MacKenzie said in the release. “Moreover, the plan, shaped by community voices, is a major step for health equity.”

Related news: Hunts Point Produce Market, community to get $140 million from NYC

This “Hunts Point Forward” plan is a big step toward charting out the necessary massive investment in the Hunts Point community, state Sen. Luis Sepúlveda said in the release.

“Historically, Hunts Point, and the South Bronx at large, have not received such massive investments as in other places,” he said. “This plan is a multidisciplinary effort to upgrade the quality of life of Hunts Point residents, including its vision to remodel the Hunts Point Market, the inclusion of a new Metro-North station, investments in renewable energy and creation of new jobs for local residents.

“As the New York state senator representing Hunts Point, I am hopeful for the future of my district and the future envisioned by this plan.”

Related news: Turning to Hunts Point produce experts in times of crisis