Foodscape: Rego Park/Forest Hills

Rego Park/Forest Hills Foodscape

Queens Community District 6

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: 11374, 11375

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
• COMMUNITY GARDENS
• GREENTHUMB GARDENS
• SCHOOL GARDENS
• FARMERS’ MARKETS
• OFFICIAL SNAP ENROLLMENT SITES IN NYC – HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATION
• FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS
• RETAIL FOOD STORES
• ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

DEMOGRAPHICS:

• Total Population: 120,955 (1.35% of NYC population) (1)
• Population by Race and Ethnicity of Rego Park/Forest Hills and New York City (2)
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 14% Latino | NYC: 29.2% Latino
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 3% Black | NYC: 21.7% Black
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 51% White | NYC: 31.8% White
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 30% Asian/Pacific Islander | NYC: 14.1% Asian
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 2% Other | NYC: 2% Other
• Rego Park/Forest Hills Population by Age: (3)
  • 0-17 years: 16%
  • 18-24 years: 5%
  • 25-44 years: 31%
  • 45-64 years: 28%
  • 65+ years: 19%
• Life Expectancy: 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 84.9 years (2) | NYC: 82.1 years (2)
• Born Outside the US: 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 50% (2) | NYC: 36.8% (2)

NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD:

• Supermarket to Bodega Ratio: One (1) supermarket in Rego Park/Forest Hills to 5 bodegas (1)
• Meal Gap (# of meals needed per year for food security): 2,240,495 (2)
• Food Insecurity: 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 10.3% of residents (2)| NYC: 15.4% of residents (2)
• Residences that Lack a Kitchen: 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 0.7% of housing units (2)| NYC: 0.8% (2)
• Households Receiving SNAP Benefits: 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 10.0% of households (2)| NYC: 22.4% of households (2)

HEALTH BEHAVIORS:

• No Fruits and Vegetables Yesterday: 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 7% of adults (2) | NYC: 12.9% of adults (2)
• One or More 12-ounce Sugary Drinks Per Day (percent of adults): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 18% (2) | NYC: 23% (2)
• No Physical Activity in the Last 30 Days
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 32% of adults (2) | NYC: 27.1% of adults (2)
• Binge Drinking
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 20% (2) | NYC: 17.4% (2)
• Smokers
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 10% (2) | NYC: 13.9% (2)

HEALTH AND DISEASE STATUS:

• Adults Reporting Their Own Health as “Excellent,” “Very Good” or “Good” (percent of adults): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 82% (2) | NYC: 78% (2)
• Obesity (percent of adults): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 19% (2) | NYC: 24% (2)
•  Childhood Obesity (percent of public school children in grades K through 8): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 11% (3) | NYC: 20% (3)
• Diabetes (percent of adults): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 7% (2) | NYC: 11% (2)
• Hypertension (percent of adults): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 28% (3) | NYC: 28% (3)

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

• Median Household Income: 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: $74,618 (2) | NYC: $60,879 (2)
• Poverty (percent of households with incomes below poverty): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 10.6% (2) | NYC: 19.7% (2)
• Unemployment (percent of people ages 16 and older): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 2.8% (2) | NYC: 4.5% (2)
• Extreme Housing Burden (Extreme Housing Burden includes households spending more than 50% of income on housing): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 28.1% (2) | NYC: 29.5% (2)
• Rent Burden (households that spend 35% or more of their income on rent)
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 42.7% (5) | NYC: 44.2% (5)

EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BURDEN

• Air Pollution (micrograms of fine particulate matter per cubic meter): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 7.5 (1) | New York City-wide: 7.5 (1)
• Bicycle Network Coverage (percent of streets with bike lanes): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 0% (3) | New York City-wide: 10% (3)
• Pedestrian Injury Hospitalizations (per 100,000 people): 
  • Rego Park/Forest Hills: 13 (3) | New York City-wide: 23 (3)
• Percent of Land Used for Public Parks, Open Spaces, and Recreation:
  • Rego Park/Forst Hills: 1.9% (2) | New York City-wide: 24.7% (2)

REGO PARK/FOREST HILLS COMMUNITY GARDENS: 

• Forest Hills Community Garden: Forest Hills High School, Grand Central Parkway

REGO PARK/FOREST HILLS 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. (4)  

• Queens New Roots (East): 41-38 69th St

REGO PARK/FOREST HILLS SCHOOL GARDENS:

• PS 196 Grand Central Parkway: 71-25 113 St
• PS 174 William Sidney Mount: 65-10 Dieterle Crescent
• PS 101 School in the Gardens: 2 Russell Pl
• PS 220 Edward Mandel: 62-10 108 St
• HS 440 Forest Hills High School: 67-01 110 St
• PS 303 The Academy for Excellence through the Arts: 108-55 69 Ave
• PS 175 The Lynn Gross Discovery School: 64-35 102 St
• P233Q@686: 91-30 Metropolitan Ave
• MS 190 Russell Sage: 68-17 Austin St
• JHS 157 Stephen A. Halsey: 63-55 102nd St
• PS 206 The Horace Harding School: 61-02 98 St
• MS/HS 167 Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School: 91-30 Metropolitan Ave

REGO PARK/FOREST HILLS FARMERS’ MARKETS: 

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

• Forest Hills Greenmarket
  S Side of Queens Blvd at 70th Ave, Sunday 08:00AM-03:00PM, June-Dec 08:00AM-02:00PM, Jan-May, Year-Round

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.

REGO PARK/FOREST HILLS 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.

• East New York S28: 404 Pine St, 1st Floor
• Rockaway S79: 219 Beach 59th St, 1st Floor
• Queens S53: 32-20 Northern Blvd, 2nd Floor
• Jamaica S54: 165-08 88th Ave, 3rd Floor

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

REGO PARK/FOREST HILLS 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.

• Masbia of Queens - Soup Kitchen
  105-47 64th Rd, 11375, (718) 972-4446
• Ohel Joseph Brukho Toxsur Inc
  63-36 99th St, 11374, (718) 459-2555
• Masbia of Rego Park - Soup Kitchen
  98-08 Queens Blvd, 11374, (718) 972-4446
• Educational Center for Russian Jewry, Ohr Natan
  98-12 66th Ave, 11374, (718) 997-1310
• Masbia of Rego Park - Food Pantry
  98-08 Queens Blvd, 11374, (718) 972-4446
• Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Our Lady of the Angelus
  63-63 98th St, 11374, (718) 722-6001, (347) 957-2450
• Young Israel of Forest Hills
  68-07 Burns St, 11375, (718) 268-7100
• Beth Gavriel Shaare Zion
  66-35 108th St, 11375, (718) 268-7558
• Forest Hills Seniors Center
  108-25 62nd Dr, 11375, (718) 699-1010, (718) 592-5757
• Masbia of Queens - Food Pantry
  105-47 64th Rd, 11375, (718) 972-4446
• Jewish Community Council (JCC) of Queens
  119-45 Union Tpke, 11375, (718) 544-9033
• Commonpoint Queens (Central Queens Y/Esther Grunblatt Russian Service Center)
  67-09 108th St, 11375, (718) 268-5011 x433, (718) 704-8160

*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. 

REGO PARK/FOREST HILLS 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.”

• 7-Eleven
  97-07 Queens Blvd 11374, (718) 275-2079
• B & K Deli & Grocery
  107-33 71st Ave 11375,
• Netcost Market
  97-10 Queens Blvd 11374, (718) 459-4400
• CTown Supermarkets
  7248 Austin St 11375,
• Whole Fruit Farm (World Fruit Farm)
  92-01 63rd Dr 11374,
• CVS
  97-10 63rd Rd 11374, (718) 896-2484
• Foodtown of Forest Hills
  110-44 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 544-5656
• Eden Farm
  63-31 108th St 11375, (718) 830-0681
• Walgreens
  10425 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 896-7901
• J & J Super Star Deli
  6249 Woodhaven Blvd 11374, (718) 779-0300
• Duane Reade
  10716 71st Ave 11375,
• Express Deli
  10119 Queens Blvd #B 11375,
• Vitelio's Marketplace
  7176 Yellowstone Blvd 11375, (718) 261-7505
• Pasticceria Amore
  107-06 71st Rd 11375, (718) 261-1349
• Stop & Go Deli Convenience
  Metropolitan Ave 11375, (718) 263-3502
• Bethel Farm
  63-28 108th St 11375, (718) 897-3977
• I & R Kosher Grocery Inc
  65-47 99th St 11374,
• Redwood Deli
  118-18 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 261-9326
• Nagilah Market
  6369 108th St 11375, (718) 268-2626
• Rego Park Deli Grocery Inc
  9258 Queens Blvd 11374,
• Fruit Ranch
  100-14 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 896-4191
• World Fruit Farm
  92-1 63rd Dr 11374,
• ALDI
  61-11 Junction Blvd 11374, (855) 955-2534
• 7-Eleven
  10740 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 575-4130
• Key Food Supermarket
  105-35 64th Rd 11375, (718) 997-6252
• Foodtown of Rego Park
  97-36 63rd Rd 11374, (718) 896-4300
• CVS
  118-10 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 520-4530
• K Food Market Groceries, Beer & Meat
  92-32 Queens Blvd 11374, (718) 406-9455
• Carmel Grocery
  64-27 108th St 11375, (718) 897-9296
• Wholesome Organic Foods Russian Delicatessen and Live Fresh Fish Grocery Store
  67-05 Austin St 11375, (516) 522-0678
• Howard News 24 Hour Deli
  97-15 Queens Blvd 11374, (718) 897-7679
• Rego Fresh Marketplace
  63-76 Woodhaven Blvd 11374, (718) 326-8800
• CVS
  97 15 Metropolitan Ave 11375, (718) 261-1647
• Fresh Value Marketplace
  9507 63rd Dr 11374, (718) 997-8900
• Key Food Supermarket
  116-34 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 793-8639
• Sakura-Ya Japanese Mart
  73-05 Austin St 11375, (718) 268-7220
• Natural Fruits & Vegetables Family Fruit Farm
  6361 Booth St 11374,
• Natural Market
  72-56 Austin St 11375, (718) 268-4477
• Knish Nosh
  98-104 Queens Blvd 11374, (718) 897-5554
• Rite Aid
  95-14 63rd Dr 11374, (718) 896-5084
• Tikvah Super Glatt Kosher Mini Market
  10543 64th Rd 11375,
• Elly's Place (Sunrise Market)
  100-31 Metropolitan Ave 11375, (718) 869-6161
• Austin Farm
  67-25 Austin St 11375, (718) 897-8400
• Trader Joe's
  9030 Metropolitan Ave 11374, (718) 275-1791
• CVS
  108-7 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 544-4585
• Shanvi Convenience & Grocery
  111-09 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 896-4475
• Country Boy Farm Market
  96-50 Queens Blvd 11374,
• CVS
  100 02 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 520-2334
• Halal Meat
  64-46 108th St 11375,
• 63-28 99th St Farm
  63-28 99th St 11374, (718) 897-2912
• Key Food Supermarket
  92-02 63rd Dr 11374, (718) 275-6913
• Ottos Deli
  6318 Woodhaven Blvd 11374,
• Continental Lunchonette & Deli
  10403 Metropolitan Ave 11375, (718) 520-8336
• Haven Deli
  6228 Woodhaven Blvd 11374,
• R & M Glatt Supermarket
  63-64 108th St 11375, (718) 897-3600
• K-Food Market
  92-58 Queens Blvd 11374,
• Key Food Supermarket
  108-27 Queens Blvd 11375, (718) 268-8343
• La Boulangerie
  109-01 72nd Rd 11375, (347) 644-5606

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• NYC Food Resource Guide: Rego Park/Forest Hills
• Commonpoint Queens
• Rego Park Library
• Queens Community House
• Rego Park Green Alliance (RPGA)
• Child Center of NY

REFERENCES:

1. 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: Forest Hills & Rego Park.” data2go.Nyc, Measure of America of the Social Science Research Council and Helmsley Charitable Trust, https://www.data2go.nyc/map/?id=406*36047015900*ahdi_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#9/40.8263/-73.9572.
   3. Hinterland, K, et al. “Community Health Profiles 2018, Queens Community District 6: Rego park and Forest Hills.” Community Health Profiles 2018, Queens Community District 6: Rego Park and Forest Hills, 2018, pp. 1–20
   4. “Green Thumb Garden Map.” NYC Parks, https://greenthumb.nycgovparks.org/gardensearch.php. 
   5. “NYC Community District Profiles” NYC Planning https://communityprofiles.planning.nyc.gov/bronx/2#indicators.
   6. Treglia ML, Acosta-Morel M, Crabtree D, Galbo K, Lin-Moges T, Van Slooten A, Maxwell EN. The State of the Urban Forest in New York City. The Nature Conservancy. 2021. doi:10.5281/zenodo.5532876

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