Foodscape: Coney Island

Coney Island Foodscape

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.

*All data from Community Health Profiles includes Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Gravesend, Homecrest, Sea Gate and West Brighton 

*All data from DATA2GO includes Brighton Beach & Coney Island 

Zip codes include: 11223, 11224

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
• SUMMER MEALS
• COMMUNITY GARDENS
• GREENTHUMB GARDENS
• SCHOOL GARDENS
• FARMERS’ MARKETS
• OFFICIAL SNAP ENROLLMENT SITES IN NYC – HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATION
• WIC SITES
• FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS
• RETAIL FOOD STORES
• PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• FOOD POLICY ORGANIZATIONS
• ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

DEMOGRAPHICS:

• Total Population: 106,459 (1.25% of NYC population) (1)
• Population by Race and Ethnicity of Coney Island and New York City (1)
  • Coney Island: 16% Latino | NYC: 29% Latino
  • Coney Island: 12% Black | NYC: 22% Black
  • Coney Island: 56% White | NYC: 32% White
  • Coney Island: 14% Asian/Pacific Islander | NYC: 15% Asian
  • Coney Island: 1% Other | NYC: 2% Other
• Coney Island Population by Age: (1)
  • 0-17 years: 19%
  • 18-24 years: 8%
  • 25-44 years: 25%
  • 45-64 years: 27%
  • 65+ years: 22%
• Life Expectancy: 
  • Coney Island: 80.6 years (2) | NYC: 82.1 years (2)
• Born Outside the US: 
  • Coney Island: 53% (1) | NYC: 37% (1)

NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD:

• Supermarket to Bodega Ratio: One (1) supermarket in Coney Island to 21 bodegas (1)
• Meal Gap (# of meals needed per year for food security): 3,798,001 (2)
• Food Insecurity: 
  • Coney Island: 19.5% of residents (2)| NYC: 15.4% of residents (2)
• Residences that Lack a Kitchen: 
  • Coney Island: 0.9% of housing units (2)| NYC: 0.8% (2)
• Households Receiving SNAP Benefits: 
  • Coney Island: 38.1% of households (2)| NYC: 22.4% of households (2)
• Walking Distance to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: (4)
  • Includes data from Coney Island/Sheepshead Bay (Zipcodes 11223, 11224, 11229, 11235)
    • 5 minutes or less: 47% (Compared to 49% New York City-wide)
    • 5-10 minutes: 16% (Compared to 18% New York City-wide)
    • 10 minutes or more: 34% (Compared to 32% New York City-wide)

FOOD CONSUMPTION:

• At Least One Serving of Fruits or Vegetables Per Day (percent of adults): 
  • Coney Island: 91% (1) | NYC: 87% (1)
• No Fruits and Vegetables Yesterday: 
  • Coney Island: 9% of adults (2) | NYC: 12.9% of adults (2)
• One or More 12-ounce Sugary Drinks Per Day (percent of adults): 
  • Coney Island: 21% (1) | NYC: 23% (1)

HEALTH AND DISEASE STATUS:

• Adults Reporting Their Own Health as “Excellent,” “Very Good” or “Good” (percent of adults): 
  • Coney Island: 70% (1) | NYC: 78% (1)
• Obesity (percent of adults): 
  • Coney Island: 28% (1) | NYC: 24% (1)
•  Childhood Obesity (percent of public school children in grades K through 8):
  • Coney Island: 18% (1) | NYC: 20% (1)
• Diabetes (percent of adults): 
  • Coney Island: 15% (1) | NYC: 11% (1)
• Hypertension (percent of adults): 
  • Coney Island: 31% (1) | NYC: 28% (1)

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

• Median Household Income: 
  • Coney Island: $38,065 (2) | NYC: $63,132 (2)
• Poverty (percent of households with incomes below poverty): 
  • Coney Island: 26.1% (2) | NYC: 19.7% (2)
• Unemployment (percent of people ages 16 and older): 
  • Coney Island: 4.5% (2) | NYC: 4.5% (2)
• Extreme Housing Burden (percent of renters): 
  • Coney Island: 30.1% (2) | NYC: 29.5% (2)

EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BURDEN

• Air Pollution (micrograms of fine particulate matter per cubic meter): 
  • Coney Island: 6.7 (1) | New York City-wide: 7.5 (1)
• Bicycle Network Coverage (percent of streets with bike lanes): 
  • Coney Island: 13% (1) | New York City-wide: 10% (1)
• Pedestrian Injury Hospitalizations (per 100,000 people): 
  • Coney Island: 22 (1) | New York City-wide: 23 (1)
• Any Physical Activity in the Past 30 Days (percent of adults): 
  • Coney Island: 71% (1) | New York City-wide: 73% (1)

CONEY ISLAND SUMMER MEALS: 

To ensure everyone has access to nutritious meals, the Department of Education’s Meal Hubs were created in response to COVID-19 and have expanded service to all children and adults across the five boroughs. Sites serve grab-and-go meal service for adults and children and no one is turned away. No registration or identification is required.

During the summer of 2020, over 400 Meal Hubs operated from 7:30am-11:30am for children and families and 11:30am-1:30pm for adults. Starting September 29, 200 Meal Hubs continue to provide grab-and-go meal service for all New Yorkers on Monday-Friday between 3-5pm.

Please check the DOE website for updates and search for Free Meals at the select public school buildings here or text “NYCFOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877.

CONEY ISLAND COMMUNITY GARDENS: 

• 23rd Street Community Garden: 2327 Neptune Ave

CONEY ISLAND GREENTHUMB GARDENS:

There are over 600 GreenThumb community gardens across the city, and any resident can join a garden. Find the most up-to-date list of gardens using GreenThumb’s searchable Garden Map. (5)  

• Surfside Garden Multi-Cultural Coalition: 2871 Surf Ave
• Santos White Community Garden: 2110 Mermaid Ave

CONEY ISLAND SCHOOL GARDENS:

• PS 231 PS [email protected]: 5601 16th Ave
• IS 303 Herbert S. Eisenberg: 501 W Ave
• PS 90 Edna Cohen School: 2840 W 12th St
• PS 370 The Jim Thorpe School: 3000 W 1st St
• PS 721 Brooklyn Occupational Training Center: 64 Avenue X
• IS 228 David A. Boody: 228 Avenue S
• PS 329 Surfside: 2929 W 30th St
• PS 188 Michael E. Berdy: 3314 Neptune Ave
• PS 216 Arturo Toscanini: 350 Avenue X

CONEY ISLAND FARMERS’ MARKETS: 

To ensure the below farmers’ markets are open, please call or check the listed websites for the most up-to-date information.

• Edible Schoolyard NYC's Farm Stand at PS 216
  E 1st St & Ave X, Friday 01:45PM-02:45PM, Closed

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. For an updated list of farmers’ markets near you (including days/hours of operation) visit nyc.gov/health and search “farmers markets” or text “SoGood” to 877-877.

CONEY ISLAND 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

CONEY ISLAND WIC SITES:

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

• Coney Island Hospital: 2101 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 483-5090

CONEY ISLAND 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.

• Campaign Against Hunger, Marlboro Housing Development - Mobile Food Pantry
  2304 W 8th St, Building 20, 11223, (718) 773-3551
• Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island
  3001 W 37th St, 11224, (718) 449-5000
• St. John's Bread & Life, Coney Island - Mobile Soup Kitchen
  Mermaid Ave & W 21st St, 11224, (718) 539-2324
• ACTS Community Development Corps - Soup Kitchen
  2114 Mermaid Ave, 11224, (718) 415-1170
• Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Our Lady of Solace
  2866 W 17th St, 11224, (718) 726-9790 x8025
• Salt and Sea Mission Church, Inc.
  1530 Mermaid Ave, 11224, (718) 975-0305
• River Fund Mobile Unit - Brooklyn
  2002 Neptune Ave, 11224, (718) 441-1125
• Mount Ararat Senior Center
  1630 Saint Mark's Ave, 11233, (718) 922-1304
• Haber House Senior Center
  3024 W 24th St, 11224, (718) 372-5775
• Campaign Against Hunger, Coney Island - Mobile Food Pantry
  Corner of Neptune & 33rd St, 11224, (718) 773-3551
• ACTS Community Development Corps - Food Pantry
  2114 Mermaid Ave, 11224, (718) 415-1170

*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. 

CONEY ISLAND RETAIL FOOD STORES:

*This list below includes all retail food stores from a Google Maps Places API search with keyword search terms “bakery, cafe, convenience store, deli, food, grocery, supermarket.” 

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

• Atlas Meat Market
  387 Avenue X 11223,
• Ralph Fruit
  507 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 339-1077
• Food to Live
  2769 W 15th St 11224, (718) 717-1029
• Millennium Deli & Grocery
  3038 Neptune Ave 11224, (718) 449-5711
• Dolce Italia
  320 Avenue U 11223, (718) 837-2464
• Quick Stop
  2404 Coney Island Ave 11223,
• La Villita Fruits and Juices
  310 Kings Hwy 11223, (347) 673-5275
• Leanly Chinese Food
  1627 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 266-1823
• Albert Fruit
  730 Avenue U 11223, (718) 339-9331
• Mermaid Deli and Grocery
  3202 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 513-3995
• CVS
  532 Neptune Ave 11224, (718) 996-2233
• Neptune Deli Grocery (Amir Grocery Corp)
  1502 Neptune Ave 11224,
• A & T Grocery
  2908 Stillwell Ave 11224, (718) 946-3289
• Ocean Bay Market
  2424 Coney Island Ave 11223, (718) 382-1688
• Beach Deli
  3204 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 513-3995
• 2317 Coney Convenience Inc
  2317 Coney Island Ave 11223, (718) 376-1018
• SG Convenience Corporation
  730 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 627-6311
• Helalah Supermarket
  2115 Surf Ave 11224, (718) 265-0196
• 7-Eleven
  953 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 336-0413
• Belarus Supermarket
  495 Neptune Ave 11224, (718) 373-5595
• Ouri's Fruit
  427 Avenue U 11223, (718) 645-0020
• United Express Deli & grill
  237 Avenue X 11223, (718) 676-9440
• Yafranny Deli Corp
  2728 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718)-372-5089
• Key Food Supermarket
  319 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 627-1570
• Stillwell Grocery Inc
  1801 Stillwell Ave 11223, (718) 372-2715
• Shaba Deli & Grocery
  2387 Stillwell Ave 11223, (718) 996-1080
• 99 Cent Xpress
  2815 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 714-6254
• Avenue S Supermarket
  802 Avenue S 11223, (718) 998-5884
• Bay Parkway Food
  320 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 336-7200
• Fruit & Vegetable Brothers
  249 Avenue X 11223, (718) 339-2449
• Key Food Supermarket
  599 Avenue Z 11223, (718) 934-4279
• SRR Convenience Store
  315 Kings Hwy 11223, (917) 909-6382
• Star Deli & Grill
  397 Avenue X 11223, (718) 758-5004
• Lucky Day Convenience Store Inc.
  2637 86th St 11223,
• Netcost Market
  608 Sheepshead Bay Rd 11224, (718) 946-5400
• T-L Food Market Inc.
  119 Avenue U 11223, (718) 333-1688
• Deli Grocery & Grill
  2706 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 975-1379
• 1716 Mermaid Ave Deli & Grocery
  1716 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 714-9999
• Express Deli/Mashallah Deli
  2115 Surf Ave 11224, (718) 265-1667
• F Grocery Food Corp (Quick Deli and Grill)
  246 Avenue U 11223, (718) 266-2193
• Smart Cost Russian Food
  255 Kings Hwy 11223,
• New Taste of China
  2793b 86th St 11223, (718) 372-3222
• AKM Deli & Grocery
  383 Avenue X 11223,
• Foodtown of Bensonhurst
  1949 Stillwell Ave 11223, (718) 266-8100
• Min's Fish Market
  316 Avenue U 11223, (718) 373-5169
• New West 10th Deli
  97 Avenue S 11223, (347) 275-2005
• Busy Corner Grocery Inc
  801 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 645-9833
• Walgreens
  2590 Coney Island Ave 11223, (718) 648-0120
• I & D Glatt Meat & Poultry
  482 Avenue P 11223, (718) 339-8555
• Fruits by Pesha
  2045 Mcdonald Ave 11223, (917) 612-0660
• Akiva Grocery
  409 Avenue U 11223, (718) 265-6555
• Green Apple Deli
  2321 Mermaid Ave 11224, (347) 492-3172
• Big Sam Food
  2327 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 449-4020
• 7-Eleven
  133-35 Avenue U 11223,
• Jerusalem Glatt Meat
  710 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 375-8879
• Island Neighborhood Gourmet Food
  2909 Surf Ave 11224, (718) 265-0305
• Fresh Food Choice
  2715 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 513-6511
• A Deli
  1105 Avenue S 11223,
• Lavi Glatt
  805 Avenue U 11223, (718) 998-2330
• Gourmet Deli
  2789 86th St 11223, (718) 266-1072
• MV Quick Stop Corp
  2875 W 8th St 11224, (718) 946-3807
• Walgreens
  946 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 645-2689
• Sam's Deli
  288 Avenue U 11223, (718) 266-0377
• Holon Middle East Grocery Store
  527 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 336-7758
• Mermaid Prime Meat
  1610 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 266-3202
• 1626 Mini Mart
  1626 Stillwell Ave 11223, (718) 232-7493
• K & B Gourmet Deli
  2827 Mermaid Ave 11224, (347) 462-9306
• Associated Supermarkets
  480 Avenue P 11223, (718) 375-6815
• Coney Deli Grocery
  2803 Mermaid Ave 11224, (646) 641-7133
• In & Out Deli & Grill
  2328 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 872-7210
• DJ Deli
  2808 West 36th St 11224,
• Fruit and Vegetables
  470 Avenue P 11223, (718) 339-2170
• 86 Deli
  2637 86th St #1 11223, (718) 265-2540
• Fine Fare Supermarket
  2901 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 266-7527
• CVS
  494 Neptune Ave 11224, (718) 996-2233
• LQA Grocery II
  1602b Mermaid Ave 11224,
• H & I Grocery
  2847 86th St 11223, (718) 372-6207
• Big Apple Quality Fruit & Vegetable
  294 Kings Hwy 11223, (347) 312-4658
• Mermaid 2 Deli
  3222 Mermaid Ave 11224, (347) 462-4827, (718) 373-3331
• Universal Groceries
  156 Avenue U 11223,
• Meats Supreme
  181 Avenue U 11223, (718) 372-4555
• 7 & 7 Gourmet Deli
  2904 Stillwell Ave 11224, (347) 713-5361
• H & H Grocery
  146 Highlawn Ave 11223, (718) 759-6466
• Kings 7 Deli & Grocery
  268 Kings Hwy 11223, (347) 492-3257
• Noel Deli & Grocery
  1890 W 6th St 11223, (718) 376-5619
• Key Food Supermarket
  3485 Neptune Ave 11224, (718) 372-7468
• Adam's Deli On The Corner
  525 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 645-1480
• Kosher Corner Supermarket Inc
  2055 McDonald Ave 11223, (718) 998-2400
• Washington Cherry Inc
  3024 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 946-0885
• Sanaa Deli
  1526 Mermaid Ave 11224,
• Rite Aid
  344 Avenue X 11223, (718) 375-8257
• 7-Eleven
  133 Avenue U 11223, (718) 449-1793
• A & B Grocery
  353 Avenue S 11223,
• West Grill & Deli Grocery
  1904 Mermaid Ave 11224,
• Chalouh Market
  728 Avenue U 11223, (718) 627-7270
• Rite Aid
  3001-27 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 373-2818
• Maria's Beautiful Arrangements
  2402 Stillwell Ave 11223, (347) 492-6522
• Avner Kosher Fish Market
  521 Kings Hwy 11223, (718) 645-3474
• Hak Farmer Market
  167 Avenue U 11223, (347) 673-7144
• Loy Wong Food Market
  312 Kings Hwy 11223,
• C-Town
  237-243 Avenue U 11223, (718) 373-5100
• Orels Food & Vegetables
  2339 Ocean Pkwy 11223,
• Key Food Supermarket
  505 Neptune Ave 11224, (718) 714-6049
• AKM Deli & Grocery
  387 Avenue X 11223,
• Oceanside Pharmacy
  3206 Mermaid Ave 11224, (718) 996-4949
• P & P Convenience
  2436 Stillwell Ave 11223, (718) 266-7421
• Prime Cut
  431 Avenue U 11223, (718) 375-6328
• Ocean Grocery & Deli
  631 Gravesend Neck Rd 11223, (718) 375-9450

PARKS IN CONEY ISLAND:

To ensure the below businesses and organizations are open, please call or check the listed websites for the most up-to-date information.

• Luna Playground: 2941 W 12th St, 11224
• Steeplechase Park: 1904 Surf Ave, 11224
• Neptune Playground: 2840 W 12th St, 11224
• McDonald Playground: 2099 Mc Donald Ave, 11223
• Nautilus Playground: W 30th St & W 32nd St, 11224
• Poseidon Playground: 3001 W 27th St, 11224
• Marlboro Playground: Avenue W & W 11th St, 11223
• Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk: 37 Riegelmann Boardwalk, 11224
• Asser Levy Park: 2955 Sea Breeze Ave, 11224
• Coney Island Creek Park: 3871 Polar St, 11224
• Surf Playground: 2501 Surf Ave, 11224
• Scarangella Park: Stillwell Ave, Avenue U, Avenue V, 11223
• Century Playground: 2955 W 3rd St, 11224
• Kaiser Park: 2529 Neptune Ave, 11224
• West Playground: 2536 W St, 11223

FOOD POLICY ORGANIZATIONS IN CONEY ISLAND:

To ensure the below organizations are and services are being offered, please call or check the listed websites for the most up-to-date information.

• Sephardic Bikur Holim Food Pantry: 425 Kings Highway, 11223 (718) 787-1100
• Coney Island Lighthouse Mission: 2114 Mermaid Ave, 11224 (718) 415-1170
• Acts Community Development Corp.: 2114 Mermaid Ave, 11224 (718) 415-1170

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island
• Alliance for Coney Island
• Coronavirus NYC Food Resource Guide: Coney Island
• Urban Neighborhood Services: Coney Island

Last updated: 3/9/21

REFERENCES:

1. Hinterland, K, et al. “Community Health Profiles 2018, Brooklyn Community District 13: Coney Island.” Community Health Profiles 2018, Brooklyn Community District 13: Coney Island, 2018, pp.1-20.
2. “Data2Go: Brighton Beach and Coney Island.” data2go.Nyc, Measure of America of the Social Science Research Council and Helmsley Charitable Trust, https://data2go.nyc/cd/?id=313*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#14/40.5833/-73.9833
3. “A Foodscape of Coney Island/Sheepshead Bay.” New York City Food Policy Center at Hunter College, Mar. 2017, https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/FS210_2017-5.pdf.
4. “Annual Vital Statistics Data Show Fewer Premature Deaths and Fewer Births in New York City in 2017.” NYC Health, The City of New York.
5. “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.