Access to Healthy Food on Washington Avenue

Recently, while doing a research paper on food access I came across an interesting study.  According to the New York City Community Health Survey Atlas of 2008, our neighborhood of Prospect Heights doesn’t appear to be a very healthy area.  It shows that we fall into the highest percentile in the areas of smoking, obesity, and Diabetes. 

While the statistics don’t show the neighborhood to be a healthy place, I believe it is getting healthier.  The demographics have changed a lot over the last few years, as has the availability of healthy alternatives in some parts of Prospect Heights.  Vanderbilt Avenue has several grocery stores that offer fresh produce and healthy food options.  Washington Avenue, on the other hand, has not yet made that change.  I find it very frustrating when it comes to food shopping every day of the week except for Saturday.  I count my blessings and am so thankful for the farmers market at Grand Army Plaza on Saturdays.  The rest of the week is quite tough though.  I often find myself going by car to other neighborhoods in Brooklyn for my bigger grocery shopping trips. 

We are a society that likes everything at our fingertips and most people are not willing to travel to buy their groceries, nor should they have to.  We live in New York City, the greatest city in the world, we deserve to be able to go to our local grocery and purchase beautiful fresh produce that won’t go bad if it isn’t cooked that day. We should be able to buy a jar of peanut butter where the lid isn’t covered in dust, and we shouldn’t have to check every single item that we want to purchase to make sure that it is not expired. 

Healthy living seems to be contagious.  There are so many TV shows directed toward our health, losing weight, and making healthier life choices.  When we become motivated by this and want to jump on board and make a lifestyle change it shouldn’t be so difficult for us to do so.  I often become frustrated by the weekly trips to another area to buy healthier food and I don’t always have that extra time to travel for a grocery trip.  Sometimes I find myself giving in and going to local stores even though I know they will not have as many healthy choices.  I don’t think we (nor our money) should have to leave the neighborhood for healthy living.  It would be great to have a local shop where we can buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Perhaps the existing stores could consider this need for our community.  I believe that Washingtons Avenue is in major need of a grocery store revamp!