FreshDirect, in partnership with all five of New York City’s Borough Presidents, Ruben Diaz Jr. from the Bronx, Gale Brewer from Manhattan, Eric Adams from Brooklyn, Sharon Lee from Queens, and Borough President Oddo announced yesterday the launch of “Operation 5-Borough Food Drive,” a citywide food initiative to assist New York families in need. Beginning Tuesday, the program consists of weekly (Monday through Friday) deliveries of 10,000 grocery boxes across the city.
“As a Bronx-based business, it is imperative that we do our part to provide support and assistance to our fellow New Yorkers in need,” said David McInerney, CEO, FreshDirect. “At FreshDirect, our mission is to deliver fresh, quality food and now more than ever, through these trying times of uncertainty, our neighbors are concerned about where their next meal will come from. We must band together with our local leaders and leverage our resources to take away that concern.”
The packages will arrive by FreshDirect vehicles to Community Health Action of Staten Island and Catholic Charities, who will facilitate getting the food to needy families.
"We have seen so many community members and organizations step up during this difficult time. We are grateful to FreshDirect and to CEO David McInerney for providing 400 meals daily to our community while many of the food pantries struggle to meet the need. This influx of food will surely help so many on Staten Island. Thank you to Fresh Direct and to our partners, Catholic Charities and Community Health Action, for making sure this food gets to those who need it most," said Borough President James Oddo.
“We at Catholic Charities of Staten Island are so grateful to FreshDirect for helping us stem the tide of hunger in our needy population - especially at this difficult time on Staten Island,” said Vincent M. Ignizio, CEO of Catholic Charities of Staten Island. “We will continue to work with any and all Staten Island’s non-profit organizations to ensure it gets directly in the hands of those in need.”
“Community Health Action of Staten Island welcomes this amazing partnership with FreshDirect to bring additional food to those in need. Last week, visits to our Community Food Pantry more than doubled. These added resources will help us meet the challenge as those most vulnerable to economic and food insecurity struggle with the effects of this crisis,” said Diane Arneth, Executive Director of Community Health Action of Staten Island.
Each box, which is being provided free of charge by FreshDirect will contain the following:
• Rice, 2 bags, 16oz
• Pasta, 2 boxes, 16oz
• Canned beans, 2 cans, 10-16oz
• Canned Meat/Fish, 2 cans, 3 to 5 oz
• Canned Vegetable, 2 cans, 8 to 15 oz
• Raisins / Dry Fruit, 4 boxes, 2 oz per box
• Cereal/Oatmeal, 1 Box, 10 to 20 oz
• Milk / Milk Substitute, 1 container, 32 oz
• Corn, 2 ears
• 2 Potatoes
• 1 Onion
• 1 Carrot
• Orange / Apple, 2 in total
ABOUT FRESHDIRECT:
FreshDirect is the Northeast's leading online fresh food grocer, delivering next day, same day and on-demand directly to customers throughout seven states, including the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, and the District of Columbia. FreshDirect is committed to sourcing the freshest and best-tasting meat, fish, produce, and specialty items through direct relationships with suppliers, growers, and farmers. Launched in 2002, FreshDirect is a privately held company headquartered in Bronx, NY. For more information, visit www.freshdirect.com or www.foodkick.com.