Foodscape: Bensonhurst

Bensonhurst Foodscape

Brooklyn Community District Profile 11

About Foodscapes

Access to affordable and nutritious food is one of the cornerstones of good health. Without this, individuals—and communities—are at a higher risk of food insecurity and serious chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. To improve the health of New Yorkers, we must recognize that each neighborhood has a distinct food environment.

Purpose

These Foodscape reports provide a community-level snapshot of a community’s food environment, including data on healthy and unhealthy food consumption, food access, and diet-related diseases. Additionally, the reports detail a comprehensive guide of the many food-related resources available to residents within their neighborhoods to support them in eating healthier. The Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center has compiled this information from various sources, presenting it in a user-friendly format to help NYC residents and communities better understand their local foodscapes.

The NYC Foodscape Reports were published in 2020 and are continually updated every six months. Data in the Foodscape Reports is collected from multiple primary sources to ensure the most up-to-date statistics for each indicator. Learn more about organizations and resources highlighted in the Foodscape Reports by visiting the Center’s Neighborhood Food Resource Guides as well as the Food Policy and Practice Database. Together, these three resources provide a comprehensive food-related guide to each New York City neighborhood.

Zip codes include: 11204, 11214, 11228

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• DEMOGRAPHICS
• NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD
• FOOD CONSUMPTION
• HEALTH AND DISEASE STATUS
• ECONOMIC AND LIVING-CONDITION STRESS, CONTRIBUTORS TO FOOD INSECURITY
• EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BURDEN
• GREENTHUMB GARDENS
• SCHOOL GARDENS
• FARMERS’ MARKETS
• OFFICIAL SNAP ENROLLMENT SITES IN NYC – HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATION
• FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS
• RETAIL FOOD STORES
• PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

DEMOGRAPHICS:

• Total Population: 198,870 (2.4% of NYC population) (1)
• Population by Race and Ethnicity of Bensonhurst and New York City (2)
  • Bensonhurst: 12% Latino | NYC: 29.2% Latino
  • Bensonhurst: 1% Black | NYC: 21.7% Black
  • Bensonhurst: 47% White | NYC: 31.8% White
  • Bensonhurst: 39% Asian/Pacific Islander | NYC: 14.1% Asian
  • Bensonhurst: 1% Other | NYC: 2% Other
• Bensonhurst Population by Age: (3)
  • 0-17 years: 20%
  • 18-24 years: 8%
  • 25-44 years: 31%
  • 45-64 years: 26%
  • 65+ years: 15%
• Life Expectancy: 
  • Bensonhurst: 84.2 years (2) | NYC: 82.1 years (2)
• Born Outside the US: 
  • Bensonhurst: 56% (2) | NYC: 36.8% (2)

NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD:

• Supermarket to Bodega Ratio: One (1) supermarket in Bensonhurst to 27 bodegas (2)
• Meal Gap (# of meals needed per year for food security): 4,955,978 (2)
• Food Insecurity: 
  • Bensonhurst: 15.9% of residents (2)| NYC: 15.4% of residents (2)
• Residences that Lack a Kitchen: 
  • Bensonhurst: 0.6% of housing units (2)| NYC: 0.8% (2)
• Households Receiving SNAP Benefits: 
  • Bensonhurst: 24.5% of households (2)| NYC: 22.4% of households (2)

HEALTH BEHAVIORS:

• No Fruits and Vegetables Yesterday: 
  • Bensonhurst: 10% of adults (2) | NYC: 12.9% of adults (2)
• One or More 12-ounce Sugary Drinks Per Day (percent of adults): 
  • Bensonhurst: 17% (2) | NYC: 23% (2)
• No Physical Activity in the Last 30 Days
  • Bensonhurst: 35% (2) | NYC: 27.1% (2)

HEALTH AND DISEASE STATUS:

• Adults Reporting Their Own Health as “Excellent,” “Very Good” or “Good” (percent of adults): 
  • Bensonhurst: 65% (2) | NYC: 78% (2)
• Obesity (percent of adults): 
  • Bensonhurst: 21% (2) | NYC: 24% (2)
•  Childhood Obesity (percent of public school children in grades K through 8): 
  • Bensonhurst: 14% (3) | NYC: 20% (3)
• Diabetes (percent of adults): 
  • Bensonhurst: 12% (2) | NYC: 11% (2)
• Hypertension (percent of adults): 
  • Bensonhurst: 26% (3) | NYC: 28% (3)

ECONOMIC AND LIVING-CONDITION STRESS, CONTRIBUTORS TO FOOD INSECURITY:

• Median Household Income: 
  • Bensonhurst: $53,198 (2) | NYC: $60,879 (2)
• Poverty (percent of households with incomes below poverty): 
  • Bensonhurst: 18.2% (2) | NYC: 19.7% (2)
• Unemployment (percent of people ages 16 and older): 
  • Bensonhurst: 4.1% (2) | NYC: 4.5% (2)
• Extreme Housing Burden (percent of renters): 
  • Bensonhurst: 34.4% (2) | NYC: 29.5% (2)

EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BURDEN

• Air Pollution (micrograms of fine particulate matter per cubic meter): 
  • Bensonhurst: 7.0 (2) | New York City-wide: 7.5 (2)
• Bicycle Network Coverage (percent of streets with bike lanes): 
  • Bensonhurst: 2% (3) | New York City-wide: 10% (3)
• Pedestrian Injury Hospitalizations (per 100,000 people): 
  • Bensonhurst: 20 (3) | New York City-wide: 23 (3)
• Percent of Land Used for Public Parks, Open Spaces, and Recreation:
  • Bensonhurst: 4% (2) | New York City-wide: 24.7% (2)

BENSONHURST  GREENTHUMB GARDENS:

There are over 600 GreenThumb community gardens across the city, and any resident can join a garden. There are no GreenThumb gardens in Bensonhurst. Find the most up-to-date list of gardens using GreenThumb’s searchable Garden Map. (4)  

BENSONHURST SCHOOL GARDENS:

• PS 112 Lefferts Park: 7115 15 Ave
• PS 186 Dr. Irving A Gladstone: 7601 19 Ave
• MS/HS 690 Brooklyn Studio Secondary School: 8310 21St Ave
• IS 180 The SEEALL Academy: 5601 16 Ave
• PS 127 Mckinley Park: 7805 7 Ave
• IS 281 Joseph B Cavallaro: 8787 24 Ave
• HS 223 The Montauk: 4200 16 Ave
• IS 096 Seth Low: 99 Ave P
• PS/MS 686 Brooklyn School of Inquiry: 50 Ave P
• PS 121 Nelson A. Rockefeller: 5301 20 Ave
• PS 192 The Magnet School for Math and Science Inquiry: 4715 18 Ave
• JHS 259 William Mckinley: 7305 Ft Hamilton Parkway

BENSONHURST FARMERS’ MARKETS: 

Data is updated on a continuous basis in collaboration with the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center’s Neighborhood Food Resource Guides. 

• Bensonhurst Greenmarket
  18th Ave btw 81st & 82nd Streets, Sunday 09:00AM-03:00PM, May 30 - November 27

Many farmers’ markets accept cash, SNAP/EBT, debit/credit, WIC and Senior FMNP coupons. They may also offer Health Bucks for EBT users — for every $5 spent in EBT, customers receive a $2 Health Buck coupon to purchase additional fruits and vegetables. 

BENSONHURST OFFICIAL SNAP ENROLLMENT SITES IN NYC – HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATION (HRA):

Data is updated on a continuous basis in collaboration with the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center’s Neighborhood Food Resource Guides.

• Clinton Hill: 495 Clermont Ave
• Coney Island S22: 2857-2865 W 8th St, 1st Floor
• American Italian Coalition of Organizations (AMICO): 138 Bay 20th St

*It is possible to apply for SNAP benefits online at https://www.ny.gov/services/apply-snap

BENSONHURST PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS:

Data is updated on a continuous basis in collaboration with the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center’s Neighborhood Food Resource Guides.

• Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Church of the Holy Spirit
  1712 45th St, 11204, CCBQ Call Center: (718) 722-6001, Church of the Holy Spirit: (718) 436-5565
• Bensonhurst Council of Jewish Organizations, Inc. Food Pantry
  8635 21st Ave, 1B, 11214, (718) 333-1834 x7301
• Sephardic Bikur Holim Food Pantry
  425 Kings Hwy, 11223, (718) 787-1100 x354
• Health Essential Association, CPMM
  2336 86th St, 11214, (646) 515-6898, (718) 373-2562
• Reaching Out Community Services
  7708 New Utrecht Ave, 11214, (917) 509-9055, (718) 373-4565
• Muslim Community Patrol & Services, Masjid Al Iman of Brooklyn
  2015 64th St, 11204, (347) 391-8721

*Food pantry and soup kitchen hours subject to change, and requirements may be needed to register for food pantries. Call a specific location for more information before going for the first time. 

BENSONHURST RETAIL FOOD STORES:

Data is updated on a continuous basis in collaboration with the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center’s Neighborhood Food Resource Guides. This list below includes all retail food stores within the neighborhood from the New York State Retail Food Store Open Data and a Google Maps Places API search with keyword search terms “bakery, convenience store, deli, food, grocery, supermarket.”

• 16th Ave Food Corner
  4101 16th Ave 11204, (718) 436-7986
• Sunflower Food Market
  2409 65th St 11204,
• CVS
  6817 Bay Pkwy 11204, (718) 837-1471
• Mong Kok Supermarket
  1815 86th St 11214, (718) 837-2220
• A & Z Convenient
  2727 Cropsey Ave 11214,
• B & R Foods
  7904 16th Ave 11214,
• 7024 Deli And Grocery
  7024 13th Ave 11228, (718) 232-0030
• Tribuzio Meat Market
  7714 18th Ave 11214, (718) 837-1115
• Sunshine Deli & Grocery
  1705 81 St 11214, (718) 259-2586
• Shan Market
  2620 Cropsey Ave 11214, (718) 265-4082
• Great Green Supermarket
  6614 Bay Pkwy 11204, (718) 232-3380
• Jmart
  8121 New Utrecht Ave 11214, (718) 758-5973
• Thanksgiving Supermarket
  2243-2247 86th St 11214, (718) 234-8008
• Latino's Grocery
  2485 65th St 11204,
• Food Dynasty Supermarket
  1525 86th St 11228, (718) 256-9500
• Goldbergs Grocery
  5025 18th Ave 11204, (718) 435-7177
• Catracho Grocery
  6823 20th Ave 11204,
• CVS
  8430 New Utrecht Ave 11214, (718) 232-4204
• Asim Convenience Corp
  1404 86th St 11228, (718) 259-7871
• New Group Market Inc
  7012 18th Ave 11204, (718) 236-1168
• Rinconcito Chapin
  1738 Bath Ave 11214, (718) 872-7793
• Emmanuelt - The Best Deli Grocery
  7816 20th Ave 11214,
• Benson Mini Market
  1653 Benson Ave 11214, (718) 259-9727
• Becky Grocery
  2383 65th St 11204, (646) 707-9750
• Kim's Market
  8018 17th Ave 11214,
• 2233 Food Market
  2221 86th St 11214,
• 72 St Grocery
  7206 13th Ave 11228, (718) 833-0802
• CVS
  2014 Cropsey Ave 11214, (718) 266-2636
• Favorite Choice Grocery Inc.
  8401 15th Ave 11228,
• 86th St Gourmet Deli
  8523 18th Ave 11214,
• Sea Land Seafood & Meat Market
  2502 86th St 11214, (718) 266-1668
• Lucky Corner Mini Market
  6101 20th Ave 11204,
• Aaron's Grocery
  6705 18th Ave 11204, (347) 729-0830
• Cielo Azul Deli Grocery
  6910 8th Ave 11228, (347) 517-4401
• Springfield Farm
  6124 18th Ave 11204, (718) 234-7273
• Grocery Star Plus Cove Inc
  370 Avenue P 11204,
• Bay Gourmet
  2279 86th St 11214,
• New Deli Foods
  2168 Bath Ave 11214, (718) 266-3550
• Cristoford Fish Market
  7002 18th Ave 11204, (718) 232-1233
• NY Brooklyn Bread
  8108 18th Ave 11214, (347) 492-4353
• Quick Stop
  6824 20th Ave 11204, (718) 331-2259
• Luisa Deli Grocery
  1858 Bath Ave 11214, (718) 372-1260
• Gourmet 8421 Deli
  8425 7th Ave 11228,
• Pier 18 Fish Market
  4904 18th Ave 11204, (718) 851-0311
• EK Express Way Deli
  7514 18th Ave 11214, (718) 232-1002
• Bari Pork Store
  6319 18th Ave 11204, (718) 837-9773
• My Favorite Deli
  1978 86th St 11214, (718) 449-1251
• OK Fish Market
  6824 18th Ave 11204, (718) 236-3930
• 7-Eleven
  2515 86th St 11214, (718) 266-0420
• Salam Deli Grocery
  7818 New Utrecht Ave 11214,
• Moon Convenience & Deli
  7402 New Utrecht Ave 11204, (347) 312-3882
• Dennis Grocery
  2302 Bath Ave 11214, (718) 265-0974
• Bay 31 Supermarket
  2222 86th St 11214, (718) 265-3388
• Lai Fu 88 Grocery
  2102 Bath Ave 11214, (347) 429-5777
• Bensonhurst Grocery Corporation
  1702 86th St 11214, (347) 275-6999
• Netcost Market
  2339 65th St 11204, (718) 627-7449
• 6923 The Lucky Store
  6923 20th Ave 11204,
• Karzinka
  6629 Bay Pkwy 11204,
• 17th Mini Mart
  8306 17th Ave 11214,
• El Chapin Deli Grocery
  7710 17th Ave 11214,
• Pattys Meat Market
  7917 7th Ave 11228,
• Around The Clock Deli
  8601 18th Ave 11214, (718) 259-6700
• Vucciria Food & Gourmet
  2275 86th St 11214, (718) 331-0100
• Breadberry
  1689 60th St 11204, (718) 259-6666
• Yum's Fruit Market Inc
  77-15 13th Ave 11228, (718) 837-8782
• Kaffs Bakery & Grocery
  4616 16th Ave 11204, (718) 438-0931
• Grace Market
  7114 Fort Hamilton Pkwy 11228, (718) 630-1118
• Gourmet Deli Grill
  6318 18th Ave 11204, (347) 462-9418
• Bazaar Deli & Grocery
  30 Avenue O 11204, (718) 639-9720
• Walgreens
  2535 86th St 11214,
• Star Deli
  6602 Bay Pkwy 11204, (718) 232-3334
• Veggies Inc
  5301 18th Ave 11204, (347) 554-8410
• Queen AA Grocery
  7214 18th Ave 11204, (718) 331-1948
• Paradise Fruit & Vegetable
  1622 Bay Ridge Pkwy 11204,
• 18 Deli Ave
  6102 18th Ave 11204,
• Polish Deli & Foods
  7722 18th Ave 11214, (347) 312-6210
• MS Kissan Center
  8609 Bay 16th St C3 11214,
• Columbus Deli
  6610 18th Ave 11204, (718) 236-8623
• STW Deli King
  1722 Bath Ave 11214,
• QQ Mini Market Inc
  7110 20th Ave 11204, (347) 767-3810
• Green Food Supermarket
  8508 20th Ave 11214, (718) 266-8886
• US Asia Market
  2218 86th St 11214,
• Sunshine Convenience
  2476 86th St 11214, (718) 714-7188
• Campos Deli Grocery
  7020 20th Ave 11204, (718) 234-1005
• Prime by Ari
  5010 16th St 11204, (718) 851-0051
• Deli-Plus
  5721 18th Ave 11204, (718) 256-1809
• Liu's Deli
  2061 Bath Ave 11214, (646) 683-7152
• Jupiter Grocery
  7817 New Utrecht Ave 11214, (718) 975-8585
• Good View
  7820 New Utrecht Ave 11214, (718) 621-9388
• Key Food Supermarket
  8772 18th Ave 11214, (718) 331-5080
• La Chapincita
  1806 Bath Ave 11214, (718) 837-1284
• The Palms Halal
  1786 66th St 11204,
• Rosner's Grocery
  5430 16th Ave 11204,
• Walgreens
  7009 13th Ave 11228, (718) 256-1761
• Walgreens
  6101 18th Ave 11204, (718) 236-0146
• Tony's Market
  1047 84th St 11228, (718) 484-8804
• 8421 Deli Inc
  8421 7th Ave 11228,
• 7201 Fort Hamilton Pkwy Food Corp.
  7201 Ft Hamilton Pkwy 11228, (718) 833-3059
• Sem Sem Fruit & Grocery
  1955 Bath Ave 11214, (917) 400-4680
• Bensonhurst Market: A Met Food Program
  7215 20th Ave 11204, (718) 256-7002
• La Bella Marketplace
  7907 13th Ave 11228, (718) 331-0050
• On the Luck Mini Mart
  2204 86th St 11214,
• 86 Supermarket Inc
  2243 86th St 11214,
• Rite Aid
  8222 18th Ave 11214, (718) 256-6635
• Tasty Deli Supermarket
  2381 86th St 11214, (718) 266-9296
• Ahmed's Grocery and Halal meat
  2150 Bath Ave 11214, (347) 702-6601
• 86 Optima Center
  1516 86th St 11228,
• Emanuel Deli Grocery
  6402 Bay Pkwy 11204, (347) 358-1108
• CVS
  2151 86th St 11214, (718) 266-5000
• Netcost Market
  8671 18th Ave 11214, (718) 259-8850
• Golden City Supermarket
  2217 86th St 11214, (718) 975-8082
• 19th Ave Deli & Grocery
  1880 86th St 11214,
• Ace Market
  6511 Bay Pkwy 11204, (718) 331-6898
• Bay Parkway Deli & Grill
  8508 Bay Pkwy 11214, (718) 372-0379
• New AB Food
  7402 17th Ave 11204, (347) 587-3339
• Dongsheng Food
  6719 Bay Pkwy 11204,
• Bath Avenue Market Corporation
  1572 Bath Ave 11228,
• Appetizing Plus
  4801 18th Ave 11204, (718) 438-0848
• Bay Parkway Deli Grocery
  2171 Bath Ave 11214,
• Deli - Kulinarija
  2002 Bath Ave 11214, (718) 372-2887
• I & R Deli
  1495 70th St 11228,
• Carlo's Grocery
  1983 52nd St 11204, (718) 253-0322
• Superfresh Supermarket
  7002 13th Ave 11228, (718) 333-5421
• Fischman's Grocery
  4421 16th Ave 11204, (718) 853-1802
• KCI & John's Deli
  2601 Bath Ave 11214, (718) 946-2301
• Shauly's Meal Mart
  1973 60th St 11204, (718) 236-2200
• Taishan Grocery Inc
  6209 20th Ave 11204,
• White Mountain Farm Grocery
  8406 20th Ave 11214, (718) 266-6062
• Bath Avenue Deli Inc
  1525 Bath Avenue A 11228, (718) 232-2131
• Walgreens
  1532-34 86th St 11228, (718) 234-8444
• Fortune on 86th
  1686 86th St 11214, (718) 256-4646
• BJ's Wholesale
  1752 Shore Pkwy 11214, (718) 372-6951
• Moshes Fruit
  4807 16th Ave 11204, (718) 438-6835
• A & J Grocery
  1910 86th St 11214,
• Stop & Shop
  2965 Cropsey Ave 11214, (718) 266-2705
• Cherry Hill Market
  2284 86th St #1 11214, (718) 373-4900
• E & D Mini Market
  7909 7th Ave 11228,
• KS Fruit Market
  2233 86th St 11214,
• 7-Eleven
  6321 18th Ave 11204,
• New Morelos Deli Grocery
  6004 20th Ave 11204, (718) 790-6545
• Lin's Deli & Grocery
  7619 New Utrecht Ave 11214, (718) 259-5980
• 欧江
  8648 26th Ave 11214,
• Premium Deli
  8220 13th Ave 11228, (718) 238-9417
• Sunny Mini Market
  8017 20th Ave 11214, (718) 234-7825
• Bath Fresh Deli & Grocery
  2272 Bath Ave 11214, (347) 702-5721
• Walgreens
  6628 18th Ave 11204, (718) 236-6790
• King's 86 C-Store
  1420 86th St 11228, (718) 377-2493
• Villabate Alba
  7001 18th Ave 11204, (718) 331-8430
• D Hights Finest Deli Grill
  6902 13th Ave 11228, (718) 921-3354
• Dean Mini Market
  7224 13th Ave 11228,
• Romeo Foods
  7801 15th Ave 11228, (718) 331-5911
• Refresh Fruits
  5510 16th Ave 11204, (718) 437-4422
• Pete Rosito Fruit
  1787 Bay Ridge Ave 11204,
• 76 Cuccis Deli & Grocery
  7602 18th Ave 11214, (347) 371-9382
• Queen Ann Ravioli
  7205 18th Ave 11204, (718) 256-1061
• Bova's Meat Market
  8020 13th Ave 11228,
• MG Fresh Fruits
  2319 65th St 11204, (718) 645-1639
• Los 3 Hermanos
  8742 25th Ave 11214, (718) 946-3461
• New Star Cheese Italian Grocery
  7305 20th Ave 11204,
• Penuela Deli Grocery
  2570 86th St 11214,
• K-N Deli & Market INC.
  5924 20th Ave #2407 11204, (917) 767-4421

PARKS IN BENSONHURST:

• Benson Playground: 1939 Bath Ave, 11214
• Milestone Park: 8101 18th Ave, 11214
• Lafayette Playground: 2140 Stillwell Ave, 11214
• Patrick O'Rourke Playground: 8010 12th Ave, 11228
• Lt. Joseph Petrosino Park: 7002 16th Ave, 11228
• Calvert Vaux Park: 2000 Shore Parkway Sr S, 11214
• Bath Playground: 8781 Cropsey Ave, 11214
• Bath Beach Park: Shore Pkwy & Bay 14th St, 11214
• Garibaldi Playground: 8201 18th Ave, 11214
• Bensonhurst Park: 2122 Cropsey Ave, 11214
• McKinley Park: 7614 Fort Hamilton Parkway, 11228
• Gravesend Park: 18th Ave & 19th Ave, 11204
• Coney Island Boat Basin: 2692 Bay 49th St, 11214
• Dyker Beach Park: 9001 7th Ave, 11228

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• NYC Food Resource Guide: Bensonhurst

REFERENCES:

1. “2020 Data for NYC, Boros, CDs, Council Districts, NTAs, & Tracts.” NYC Planning. 2021, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/planning-level/nyc-population/2020-census.page.
2. “Data2Go: Bensonhurst & Bath Beach.” data2go.Nyc, Measure of America of the Social Science Research Council and Helmsley Charitable Trust, https://data2go.nyc/cd/?id=311*36047015900*ahdi_puma!undefined!ns*!buttonHolder~other_pop_cd_506~ahdi_puma_1~life_expectancy_puma_562~sch_enrol_cd_112~high_cost_h_cd_216~working_poor_cd_421~unemployment_cd_408~age_pyramid_male_85_plus_cd_20~ex_high_cost_h_cd_historical_402~poverty_ceo_cd_417~bodega_supermarket_cd_148~median_household_income_puma_397~fruits_veggies_cd_164~median_personal_earnings_puma_400!*air_qual_cd~ahdi_puma*family_homeless_cd_245#14/40.6076/-73.9958
3. Hinterland, K, et al. “Community Health Profiles 2018, Brooklyn Community District 11: Bensonhurst.” Community Health Profiles 2018, Brooklyn Community District 11: Bensonhurst, 2018, pp.1-20.
4. “Green Thumb Garden Map.” NYC Parks, https://greenthumb.nycgovparks.org/gardensearch.php.

Article Image: “New York City (NYC) Neighborhood Maps – By Borough – Brooklyn.” NYCdata, Baruch College Zicklin School of Business, https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/nycdata/population-geography/maps-boroughs.htm.