Foodscapes

Foodscape: East Harlem

by Melissa Gallanter, RD
written by Melissa Gallanter, RD

East Harlem 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 East Harlem, Randalls Island and Wards Island

Zip codes include: 10029, 10035

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

DEMOGRAPHICS:

  • Total Population: 124,323 (1.5% of NYC population) (1)
  • Population by Race and Ethnicity of East Harlem and New York City (1)
    • East Harlem: 45.7% Latino | NYC: 29% Latino
    • East Harlem: 30.7% Black | NYC: 22% Black
    • East Harlem: 13.8% White | NYC: 32% White
    • East Harlem: 7.8% Asian/Pacific Islander | NYC: 15% Asian
    • East Harlem: 2% Other | NYC: 2% Other
  • East Harlem Population by Age: (1)
    • 0-17 years: 21%
    • 18-24 years: 10%
    • 25-44 years: 33%
    • 45-64 years: 23%
    • 65+ years: 13%
  • Life Expectancy:
    • East Harlem: 78.3 years (2) | NYC: 82.1 years (2)
  • Born Outside the US: 
    • East Harlem: 24% (1) | NYC: 37% (1)

NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD:

  • Supermarket to Bodega Ratio: One (1) supermarket in East Harlem to 17 bodegas (1)
  • Meal Gap (# of meals needed per year for food security): 4,548,222 (2)
  • Food Insecurity: 
    • East Harlem: 21.9% of residents (2)| NYC: 15.4% of residents (2)
  • Residences that Lack a Kitchen: 
    • East Harlem: 0.8% of housing units (2)| NYC: 0.8% (2)
  • Households Receiving SNAP Benefits: 
    • East Harlem: 32.9% of households (2)| NYC: 22.4% of households (2)
  • Walking Distance to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: (4)
    • 5 minutes or less: 58% (Compared to 49% New York City-wide)
    • 5-10 minutes: 18% (Compared to 18% New York City-wide)
    • 10 minutes or more: 23% (Compared to 32% New York City-wide)

FOOD CONSUMPTION:

  • At Least One Serving of Fruits or Vegetables Per Day (percent of adults): 
    • East Harlem: 84% (1) | NYC: 87% (1)
  • No Fruits and Vegetables Yesterday: 
    • East Harlem: 16% of adults (2) | NYC: 12.9% of adults (2)
  • One or More 12-ounce Sugary Drinks Per Day (percent of adults): 
    • East Harlem: 29% (1) | NYC: 23% (1)

HEALTH AND DISEASE STATUS:

  • Adults Reporting Their Own Health as “Excellent,” “Very Good” or “Good” (percent of adults): 
    • East Harlem: 76% (1) | NYC: 78% (1)
  • Obesity (percent of adults): 
    • East Harlem: 28% (1) | NYC: 24% (1)
  •  Childhood Obesity (percent of public school children in grades K through 8): 
    • East Harlem: 23% (1) | NYC: 20% (1)
  • Diabetes (percent of adults): 
    • East Harlem: 17% (1) | NYC: 11% (1)
  • Hypertension (percent of adults): 
    • East Harlem: 34% (1) | NYC: 28% (1)

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

  • Median Household Income: 
    • East Harlem: $38,039 (2) | NYC: $63,132 (2)
  • Poverty (percent of households with incomes below poverty): 
    • East Harlem: 34.1% (2) | NYC: 19.7% (2)
  • Unemployment (percent of people ages 16 and older): 
    • East Harlem: 6.2% (2) | NYC: 4.5% (2)
  • Extreme Housing Burden (percent of renters): 
    • East Harlem: 23.4% (2) | NYC: 29.5% (2)

EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BURDEN

  • Air Pollution (micrograms of fine particulate matter per cubic meter): 
    • East Harlem: 8.2 (1) | New York City-wide: 7.5 (1)
  • Bicycle Network Coverage (percent of streets with bike lanes): 
    • East Harlem: 30% (1) | New York City-wide: 10% (1)
  • Pedestrian Injury Hospitalizations (per 100,000 people): 
    • East Harlem: 29 (1) | New York City-wide: 23 (1)
  • Any Physical Activity in the Past 30 Days (percent of adults): 
    • East Harlem: 68% (1) | New York City-wide: 73% (1)

EAST HARLEM 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.

EAST HARLEM COMMUNITY GARDENS: 

EAST HARLEM 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)  

  • El Barrio Community Garden: 415-421 E 117th St
  • 117th Street Community Garden: 172 E 117th St
  • Jackie Robinson Community Garden: 103 E 122nd St
  • Pa'lante Community Garden (110th Street Block Assoc.): 1651 Madison Ave
  • Humacao Community Garden: 335 E 108th St
  • Carver Community Garden: 236-242 E 124th St
  • Neighbors of Vega Baja: 320 E 109th St
  • Family Garden by Tiffany & Co.: 431 E 114th St
  • Rodale Pleasant Park Community Garden: 437 E 114th St/448-450 E 115th St
  • Diamante Garden / Dimantis Garden: 307 E 118th St
  • Peaceful Valley: 52 E 117th St
  • La Cuevita Community Garden: 71 E 115th St
  • Herb Garden (formerly 111th St. Betterment Assoc.): 176 E 111th St
  • Home Depot Children's Garden: 421 E 117th St
  • East Harlem Community Garden: 429-433 E 117th St
  • Los Amigos Garden NYRP: 326 Pleasant Ave
  • Corozal Family: 170 E 117th St
  • La Casita: 223 E 119th St
  • El Cataño Garden: 171 E 110th St
  • Pueblo Unido: 1659 Madison Ave
  • El Gallo Community Garden: 1891-1895 Lexington Ave
  • Pleasant Village Community Garden: 342-353 Pleasant Ave
  • NYCHA - Carver - Garden for Living: 1445 Madison Ave
  • Family Community Garden Manhattan: 156 E 111th St
  • Papo's Garden: 220 E 119th St
  • Carolina Garden (formerly 116th Street Block Assoc.): 102 E 122nd St
  • Harlem Rose Garden: 8 E 129th St
  • Life Spire (CRMD, Inc.): 2015 Lexington Ave
  • 103rd Street Community Garden: 105 E 103rd St

EAST HARLEM SCHOOL GARDENS:

  • PS/MS 382 DREAM Charter School: 1991 2nd Ave
  • PS 30 Hernandez/Hughes: 144-176 E 128th St
  • Central Park East 1 Elementary: 1573 Madison Ave (between E 106th & E 107th St)
  • PS 138 : 144-176 E 128th St
  • PS 964 Central Park East II: 19 E 103rd St
  • ABC Echo Park Early Childhood Center: 1841 Park Ave
  • Charter 341 Harlem Renaissance : 2005 Madison Ave
  • PS 171 Patrick Henry: 19 E 103rd St
  • PS 497 Central Park East I: 1573 Madison Ave
  • PS 146 Ann M. Short: 421 E 106th St
  • PS 37 River East Elementary: 508 E 120th St
  • PS 206 Jose Celso Barbosa: 508 E 120th St
  • PS 83 Luis Munoz Rivera: 219 E 109th St
  • HS 555 Central Park East High School: 1573 Madison Ave
  • PS/MS 7 Samuel Stern: 160 E 120th St
  • Harlem Village Academy Leadership Charter School: 2351 1st Ave
  • PS 7 Global Tech Prep: 120th St & Lexington Ave
  • Central Park East II Garden: 433 E 100th St
  • HS 108 School of Authors: 1615 Madison Ave
  • PS 38 Roberto Clemente: 232 E 103rd St
  • PS 72: 131 E 104th St (between Lexington & Park Ave)
  • PS 79 Horan School: 55 E 120th St
  • PS/MS 50 Vito Marcantonio: 433 E 100th St
  • HS 285 Harlem Renaissance High School: 22 E 128th St
  • PS 102 Jacques Cartier: 315 E 113th St

EAST HARLEM FARMERS’ MARKETS: 

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

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.

EAST HARLEM 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.

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

EAST HARLEM WIC SITES:

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

EAST HARLEM 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.

*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. 

EAST HARLEM 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.

  • Mia Deli & Grocery
    2085 Lexington Ave 10035,
  • El Barrio Superette
    1858 Lexington Ave 10029, (212) 410-3280
  • Healthy Choice Gourmet
    1776 Madison Ave 10035, (646) 928-4848
  • Madison Deli & Grocery
    1550 Madison Ave 10029, (212) 987-8830
  • Park 81 Deli & Grocery
    81 E 110th St 10029,
  • Fine Fare Supermarket
    2330 1st Ave 10035, (212) 410-1640
  • Monarch Deli
    2006 Lexington Ave 10035, (646) 998-3020
  • Luna Food Market Corp
    2124 1st Ave 10029,
  • Family Discount 99 Plus
    2271 3rd Ave 10035,
  • Wild Olive Market
    10 E 125th St 10035,
  • Park Ave Mini Market
    1663 Park Ave 10035,
  • Asunan
    1665 Lexington Ave 10029, (212) 722- 2495
  • Kevin's Grocery Store
    339 E 108th St 10029, (212) 289-8477
  • D & S Produce Inc
    156 E 110th St 10029,
  • In & Out Deli Grocery
    2176 2nd Ave 10029, (917) 265-8535
  • Homadi Food Deli
    409 E 116th St 10029,
  • USA Superstore
    64-68 E 116th St 10029,
  • Midtown Fish and Meat Market
    87 E 116th St 10029, (212) 722-7828
  • Lane Farms Market
    1391 Madison Ave #3 10029,
  • Arizona Frutas & Vegeta
    182 E 109th St 10029, (212) 831-8277
  • La Lomita del Barrio Grocery
    209 E 116th St 10029,
  • Shop Fair Supermarket
    160 E 110th St 10029, (212) 860-2999
  • CVS
    1500 Lexington Ave 10029, (212) 289-3846
  • Eastside Deli
    2234 1st Ave 10029,
  • Lex & 103
    1629 Lexington Ave 10029, (212) 423-9141
  • MSN Grocery
    2272 1st Ave 10035, (212) 987-9076
  • New King Deli Grocery
    23 E 115th St 10029,
  • Owens Variety
    108 E 116th St 10029,
  • Fresh Kim
    2116 3rd Ave 10029, (212) 289-1600
  • La Esquina Deli Grocery
    2105 3rd Ave 10029,
  • Serie 56 Deli Grocery
    1915 Lexington Ave 10035, (917) 265-8368
  • City Fresh Market
    125 E 116th St 10029, (646) 590-3050
  • F & L Mini Market
    1690 Lexington Ave 10029,
  • Duane Reade
    135 E 125th St 10035, (917) 492-3550
  • Raspberry Deli Grocery
    2127 2nd Ave 10029, (212) 860-2615
  • Ideal Food Basket
    1635 Lexington Ave 10029, (212) 410-6733
  • Duane Reade
    1915 3rd Ave 10029, (917) 492-1038
  • Empire State Deli Grocery
    1665 Madison Ave 10029,
  • Pina Dulce Fruits & Vegetables
    1916 3rd Ave 10029,
  • Cherry Valley Marketplace
    1968 2nd Ave 10029, (212) 369-2974
  • Casablanca Meat Market
    125 E 110th St 10029, (212) 534-7350
  • El Tepeyac Grocery & Taqueria
    1621A Lexington Ave 10029, (212) 987-8364
  • Sami Deli Grocery & Halal Meat Market
    1630 Madison Ave 10029, (646) 490-7797
  • City Fresh Market
    2212 3rd Ave #3536 10035, (212) 876-1500
  • Rite Aid
    1951 1st Ave 10029, (212) 360-5530
  • Oasis Gourmet Deli
    1966 Madison Ave 10035,
  • Deli & Grocery
    5 E 115th St 10029, (646) 379-6750
  • Mr. Moe's Deli
    2001 3rd Ave 10029, (973) 564-1981
  • Bani Grocery
    1517 Lexington Ave 10029,
  • Prince Deli & Grocery
    1461 5th Ave 10035,
  • Rite Aid
    2155 3rd Ave 10035, (212) 534-9781
  • Vaquero Deli Grocery
    234 E 116th St 10029, (212) 831-2111
  • Green Olive Deli
    161 E 116th St 10029, (212) 360-1133
  • Ranch Market
    1600 Madison Ave 10029, (212) 289-3802
  • 2034 Best Gourmet Deli
    2034 3rd Ave 10029, (212) 348-8907
  • Blue Line Deli
    2135 1st Ave 10029, (646) 682-7488
  • Tasty Deli
    4020 Broadway Ave 10035, (212) 923-0700
  • Key Food Supermarket
    1769 2nd Ave 10029, (212) 860-1903
  • NY Grill & Deli
    1938 Madison Ave 10035, (212) 831-3014
  • Al Mukhtar Deli Grocery
    2026 Lexington Ave 10035, (212) 360-1204
  • NYC Fresh Market
    1660 Madison Ave 10029, (212) 996-4600
  • Family Deli Grocery
    336 E 106th St 10029,
  • Olive Oasis Deli and Grill
    1869b 2nd Ave 10029, (646) 707-0973
  • Paniagua Deli Grocery
    203 E 115th St 10029,
  • 7-Eleven
    1642 Lexington Ave 10029, (212) 410-0375
  • Cherry Gourmet Deli
    1575 Lexington Ave 10029, (646) 719-1980
  • 7-Eleven
    2256 2nd Ave 10029, (212) 289-5186
  • 2037 Meat & Grocery
    2037 2nd Ave 10029, (212) 426-7926
  • Kanan Deli & Grill
    2251 1st Ave 10029, (646) 590-0405
  • El Pueblo Mexicano Grocery
    238 E 116th St 10029, (212) 410-3133
  • Deals
    2182 3rd Ave 10035, (212) 895-4189
  • Basam Grocery
    2371 2nd Ave 10035, (646) 838-5137
  • City Fresh Market
    235 E 106th St #4005 10029, (212) 369-8444
  • Fresh Kim Market
    E 116th St 10029, (212) 289-1600
  • Dollar Tree
    1955 1st Ave 10029, (212) 479-9799
  • 103 Family Deli
    2006 2nd Ave 10029,
  • JJ Food Market Corporation
    1551 Lexington Ave 10029, (212) 831-5160
  • ALDI
    517 E 117th St 10035, (855) 955-2534
  • 1944 First Avenue Deli
    1944 1st Ave 10029, (212) 289-9400
  • Puchito Grocery
    2122 2nd Ave 10029, (646) 666-0661
  • Young Fish Market
    2004 3rd Ave 10029, (646) 476-4443
  • S & N Discount
    2031-33 3rd Ave, #33 10029, (212) 722-2680
  • Nuevo Dia Fruits
    122 E116th St 10029,

PARKS IN EAST HARLEM:

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

FOOD POLICY ORGANIZATIONS IN EAST HARLEM:

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.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Last updated: 11/10/2020

REFERENCES:

  1. Hinterland, K, et al. “Community Health Profiles 2018, Manhattan Community District 11: East Harlem.” Community Health Profiles 2018, Manhattan Community District 11: East Harlem, 2018, pp. 1–20.
  2. “Data2Go: East Harlem.” data2go.Nyc, Measure of America of the Social Science Research Council and Helmsley Charitable Trust, https://data2go.nyc/map/?id=111*36047015900*meal_gap_puma!undefined!ns*!other_pop_cd_506~ahdi_puma_1~sch_enrol_cd_112~age_pyramid_male_85_plus_cd_20~median_household_income_puma_397~median_personal_earnings_puma_400~dis_y_perc_puma_102~poverty_ceo_cd_417~unemployment_cd_408~pre_k_cd_107!*air_qual_cd~ahdi_puma*family_homeless_cd_245#12/40.8086/-73.9294.
  3. “Annual Vital Statistics Data Show Fewer Premature Deaths and Fewer Births in New York City in 2017.” NYC Health, The City of New York.
  4. “A Foodscape of East Harlem.” New York City Food Policy Center at Hunter College, Mar. 2017, https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/FS303_2017.pdf.
  5. “Green Thumb Garden Map.” NYC Parks, https://greenthumb.nycgovparks.org/gardensearch.php. 

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

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