Foodscapes

Foodscape: Mott Haven/Melrose

by NYC Food Policy Editor
written by NYC Food Policy Editor

Mott Haven/Melrose 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 Melrose, Mott Haven, and Port Morris

Zip codes include: 10451, 10454, 10455, 10456

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

DEMOGRAPHICS:

  • Total Population: 98,403 (1.15% of NYC population) (1)
  • Population by Race and Ethnicity of Melrose/Mott Haven and New York City (1)
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 67.3% Latino | NYC: 29% Latino
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 28.9% Black | NYC: 22% Black
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 21% White | NYC: 32% White
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 0.6% Asian/Pacific Islander | NYC: 15% Asian
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 0.4% Other | NYC: 2% Other
  • Melrose/Mott Haven Population by Age: (1)
    • 0-17 years: 28%
    • 18-24 years: 12%
    • 25-44 years: 28%
    • 45-64 years: 21%
    • 65+ years: 10%
  • Life Expectancy: 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 78 years (2) | NYC: 82.1 years (2)
  • Born Outside the US: 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 30% (1) | NYC: 37% (1)

NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD:

  • Supermarket to Bodega Ratio: One (1) supermarket in Melrose/Mott Haven to 25 bodegas (1)
  • Meal Gap (# of meals needed per year for food security): 5,637,546 (2)
  • Food Insecurity: 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 20.9% of residents (2)| NYC: 15.4% of residents (2)
  • Residences that Lack a Kitchen: 
    • Neighborhood: 2.7% of housing units (2)| NYC: 0.8% (2)
  • Households Receiving SNAP Benefits: 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 52.2% of households (2)| NYC: 22.4% of households (2)
  • Walking Distance to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: (4)
    • Data for all of South Bronx
      • 5 minutes or less: 47% (Compared to 49% New York City-wide)
      • 5-10 minutes: 17% (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): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 82% (1) | NYC: 87% (1)
  • No Fruits and Vegetables Yesterday: 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 18% of adults (2) | NYC: 12.9% of adults (2)
  • One or More 12-ounce Sugary Drinks Per Day (percent of adults): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 29% (1) | NYC: 23% (1)

HEALTH AND DISEASE STATUS:

  • Adults Reporting Their Own Health as “Excellent,” “Very Good” or “Good” (percent of adults): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 72% (1) | NYC: 78% (1)
  • Obesity (percent of adults): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 42% (1) | NYC: 24% (1)
  •  Childhood Obesity (percent of public school children in grades K through 8): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 24% (1) | NYC: 20% (1)
  • Diabetes (percent of adults): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 20% (1) | NYC: 11% (1)
  • Hypertension (percent of adults): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 38% (1) | NYC: 28% (1)

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

  • Median Household Income: 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: $24,849 (2) | NYC: $63,132 (2)
  • Poverty (percent of households with incomes below poverty): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 38.1% (2) | NYC: 19.7% (2)
  • Unemployment (percent of people ages 16 and older): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 6.4% (2) | NYC: 4.5% (2)
  • Extreme Housing Burden (percent of renters): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 31.9% (2) | NYC: 29.5% (2)

EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BURDEN

  • Air Pollution (micrograms of fine particulate matter per cubic meter): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 8.6 (1) | New York City-wide: 7.5 (1)
  • Bicycle Network Coverage (percent of streets with bike lanes): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 18% (1) | New York City-wide: 10% (1)
  • Pedestrian Injury Hospitalizations (per 100,000 people): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 43 (1) | New York City-wide: 23 (1)
  • Any Physical Activity in the Past 30 Days (percent of adults): 
    • Melrose/Mott Haven: 65% (1) | New York City-wide: 73% (1)

NEIGHBORHOOD 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.

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.

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY GARDENS: 

NEIGHBORHOOD 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)  

  • Melrose New Generation Community Garden: 377 E 160th St
  • 138th Street Community Garden: 624-638 E 138th St
  • Latinos Unidos: 427 E 157th St
  • El Flamboyan: 586 Tinton Ave
  • El Batey Borincano: 811-815 Eagle Ave
  • St. Ann's Block Garden Association: 666-68 St Ann's Ave
  • La Isla USA: 836 Elton Ave
  • Willis Avenue Community Garden (Bronx Community & Cultural Garden): 378 Willis Ave
  • Wanaqua Garden: 460-464 E 136th St
  • Eagle Slope: 586 Westchester Ave
  • Vogue Community Garden: 431 E 156th St
  • Palmas del Caribe (Eagle Avenue Community Garden): 869 Eagle Ave
  • Rainbow Garden of Life and Health: 762 Melrose Ave
  • Grove Hill Community Garden: 797 Eagle Ave (E 158 St)
  • Rainbow Block Association: 379 E 159th St
  • Bruckner Mott Haven Garden: 677 E 136th St
  • Padre Plaza: 545 E 139th St
  • United We Stand Garden (Sunflower / Girasol): 627 E 137th St
  • Neighborhood Advisory Committee Community Garden: 360 E 151st St
  • Cauldwell Youth Garden: 551 Cauldwell Ave
  • Courtland Avenue Association: 364-366 E 158th St
  • Family and Friends Community Garden: 809 Courtlandt Ave
  • Isla Verde Garden: 625 Wales Ave
  • Family Group Garden: 418 E 158th St
  • Jardin de la Roca: 422 E 160th St

NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL GARDENS:

  • HS 551 The Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters: 339 Morris Ave
  • PS 49 Willis Avenue: 383 E 139th St
  • HS 495 University Heights Secondary School: 701 St Anns Ave
  • PS 359 Concourse Village Elementary School: 750 Concourse Village West
  • PS 35 Franz Siegel: 261 E 163rd St
  • HS 754 J. M. Rapport School Career Development: 470 Jackson Ave
  • Charter 233 Family Life Academy Charter School II: 296 E 140th St
  • HS 321 Crotona Academy High School: 639 St Anns Ave
  • HS 548 Urban Assembly School for Careers in Sports: 730 Concourse Village West
  • PS 17 : 778 Forest Ave
  • Charter 487 Girls Preparatory Charter School of the Bronx: 681 Kelly St
  • PS 277 : 519 St Anns Ave
  • PS 154 Jonathan D. Hyatt: 333 E 135th St
  • PS 62 Inocensio Casanova: 660 Fox St
  • HS 403 Bronx International High School: 1110 Boston Rd
  • **IS 177 Harlem Renaissance High School

**: 1260 Franklin Ave

  • CS 55 Benjamin Franklin: 450 St Paul's Pl
  • Sheltering Arms Children and Family Services: 565 Morris Ave
  • HS 543 High School for Violin and Dance: 1110 Boston Rd
  • University Heights High School Garden: 701 St Ann's Ave
  • MS 22 Jordan L. Mott: 270 E 167th St
  • PS 443 The Family School: 1116 Sheridan Ave
  • Bronxworks: 1130 Grand Concourse
  • MS 323 Bronx Writing Academy: 270 E 167th St
  • HS 259 H.E.R.O. High (Health, Education, and Research Occupations High School): 455 Southern Blvd
  • PS/MS 31 The William Lloyd Garrison: 250 E 156th St
  • HS 202 New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science II: 900 Tinton Ave
  • HS 482 Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School: 800 Home St
  • School for Excellence: 1110 Boston Rd
  • PS 494 Success Academy Charter School - Bronx 2: 450 Saint Paul's Pl
  • Charter 472 Family Life Academy Charter School III: 296 E 140th St
  • Charter 385 Performance School: 750 Concourse Village West
  • HS 522 Bronx Design and Construction Academy: 333 E 151st St
  • IS 394 Mott Haven Academy Charter School: 170 Brown Pl
  • HS 381 Bronx Haven High School: 333 E 151st St
  • Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice: 244 E 163rd St
  • MS 325 Urban Science Academy: 1000 Teller Ave
  • PS 43 Jonas Bronck: 165 Brown Pl
  • PS 18 John Peter Zenger: 502 Morris Ave
  • PS 449 Grant Avenue Elementary School: 250 E 164th St
  • MS 302 Luisa Dessus Cruz: 681 Kelly St
  • PS 1 Courtlandt School: 335 E 152nd St
  • HS 404 School for Excellence: 1110 Boston Rd
  • PS 25 Bilingual School: 811 E 149th St
  • HS 655 Samuel Gompers Career and Technical Education High School: 455 Southern Blvd
  • PS 369 Young Leaders Elementary School: 468 E 140th St
  • Charter 704 KIPP Academy Charter School: 250 E 156th St
  • MS 145 Arturo Toscanini: 1000 Teller Ave
  • PS 30 The Wilton School: 510 E 141st St
  • PS 188 PS 188x@HS790x: 730 Concourse Village West
  • PS/MS 29 Melrose School: 758 Courtlandt Ave
  • PS 132 Garret A. Morgan: 1245 Washington Ave
  • Charter 554 New York City Montessori Charter School: 423 E 138th St
  • PS 130 Abram Stevens Hewitt: 750 Prospect Ave

NEIGHBORHOOD 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.

NEIGHBORHOOD 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

NEIGHBORHOOD 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. 

NEIGHBORHOOD 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.

PARKS IN NEIGHBORHOOD:

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 NEIGHBORHOOD:

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: 6/22/21

REFERENCES:

  1. Hinterland, K, et al. “Community Health Profiles 2018, Bronx Community District 1: Mott Haven and Melrose.” Community Health Profiles 2018, Bronx Community District 1: Mott Haven and Melrose, 2018, pp. 1–20.
  2. “Data2Go: Mott Haven and Melrose.” 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 The South Bronx.” 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 – Bronx.” NYCdata, Baruch College Zicklin School of Business, https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/nycdata/population-geography/maps-boroughs.htm.

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