On Monday, December 21st, 2009, City Year and the Hunts Point Alliance for Children partnered to create a Free Holiday Food Market at local Middle School 302. With this event City Year hoped to provide for the community, engage them in the spirit of service, and raise awareness of healthy eating in the Hunts Point area. The event provided food for over 300 families and gave out almost two tons of produce at the event. Along with the produce market, donations for a canned food drive were collected as “admission” to the event.

MS 302 and City Year consider the Food Market a great success; it was wonderful seeing the community participate in such a large effort. City Year Corps members working alongside MS 302 students were inspired by the students’ enthusiasm for the project; it truly displayed how anyone can serve their community no matter their age. The event also provided a healthy recipe to accompany the produce that was distributed. This aspect of the food market was well received, as the community was elated to see a new way to prepare the fresh produce.

City Year South Bronx Director Jennifer Harwood commented that “the community was thankful for all the volunteers that helped make this event possible, and it was City Year’s pleasure to work with and serve the community.”