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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2024
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

NYCHA Food Business Pathways Program Surpasses 300 Graduates to Date with Graduation Held for Latest Cohort of 26 Residents

Since 2014, a total of 321 NYCHA residents and Section 8 voucher holders across 11 cohorts have participated in the free program designed to help start and grow successful businesses in the food industry

NEW YORK – The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) today announced that the Food Business Pathways (FBP) program has surpassed 300 graduates to date with a formal graduation held for the eleventh and most recent cohort of 26 participants on Wednesday, December 18. To date, a total of 321 NYCHA public housing residents and Section 8 voucher holders have participated in the free program, which is designed to help NYCHA residents launch and cultivate successful businesses in the food industry and culinary arts field. The 10-week program, which most recently ran from October 7 to December 16, is administered by NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES) alongside contracted training providers and is made possible by a grant from the JPMorganChase Foundation through the Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF).

“Empowering small businesses, expanding fresh food access, and supporting our workforce have each been hallmarks of this administration from day one," said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “The Food Business Pathways program's success speaks to progress in all of those goals. We're proud of the graduates, and grateful for so many civically engaged New Yorkers providing fresh food to their neighbors.”

"The Food Business Pathways program illustrates NYCHA's commitment to the overall well-being of their residents," said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. "Through this effort, they have not only helped over 300 residents have a running start in the food industry but also allowed program graduates to support and nourish their families and their communities. I extend my congratulations to this cohort of graduates and look forward to seeing the benefits that this program will continue to deliver."

"The Food Business Pathways program has helped over 300 members of the NYCHA community hone their craft and launch their own businesses over the past decade,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “The program supports NYCHA residents and Section 8 voucher holders as they harness existing culinary talents by instilling in them critical business know-how so they can be successful in a competitive industry. We are extremely proud of all our Food Business Pathways graduates and wish them the best of luck as they take the next step in feeding and serving communities throughout New York City.”

“Over the last decade, NYCHA has trained over 300 residents and given them the necessary tools to pursue success in the food industry,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President for Resident Services, Partnerships, and Initiatives Ukah Busgith. “The Food Business Pathways program is an invaluable asset in terms of giving talented, culinary-minded NYCHA residents and voucher holders an equitable opportunity to launch their own businesses, express themselves, and become staples of their communities.”

“The Public Housing Community Fund is proud to partner with JPMorganChase and NYCHA to support and expand small food businesses owned by NYCHA residents,” said Public Housing Community Fund Executive Director Alex Zablocki. “The 10-week Food Business Pathways program offers comprehensive, individualized business coaching; financial planning instruction; and assistance with menus, pricing, and registering businesses as legal entities. The program prepares NYCHA food business owners for the New York City Food Handlers examination and supports access to kitchen incubators and commercial kitchen spaces. We are excited about the opportunities available to NYCHA Food Business Pathways graduates, including contracting to provide food within NYCHA communities, vending food on Governor's Island during summer months, economic mobility, and expansion of viable small businesses in NYCHA communities.”

“JPMorganChase has been serving New Yorkers for 225 years — and investing in programs like NYCHA’s Business Pathways is yet another way we are showing up for the communities where our employees and clients live and work,” said JPMorganChase Northeast Regional Executive for Global Philanthropy Jeanique Druses. “Thriving small businesses are foundational to building generational wealth and a strong economy. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with partners across the city to remove obstacles and establish pathways to the resources that enable small business growth in all communities.”

The Food Business Pathways program provides NYCHA residents with the tools needed to start and grow their business, including comprehensive business courses; individualized business coaching focused on financial planning and education, menus and pricing, and registering businesses as legal entities; assistance preparing for the New York City Food Handlers Exam; and support for graduates to succeed in kitchen incubators and commercial kitchen spaces. Upon completion of the program, graduates obtain required licenses and permits at no cost, substantially reducing their start-up costs. REES also provides graduates with post-program support through business development workshops, as well as the facilitation of market access, contracting, and vending opportunities.

Food Business Pathways involves a competitive, multi-step application process through which applicants are evaluated on their qualifications and demonstrated interest. After the interview process, program participants are selected based on food-related industry work or volunteer experience, business history, preliminary business outline or plan, and references.

To date, 204 Food Business Pathways graduates have obtained their business registration through the New York State Division of Corporations, and 44 graduates have been awarded scholarships to commercial kitchen incubator space. The program’s 12th cohort is expected to begin in February 2025.

The Food Business Pathways program is included in the Adams administration’s Women Forward NYC initiative, an action plan to address gender disparities by connecting women to professional development and higher-paying jobs; dismantling barriers to sexual, reproductive, and maternal healthcare; reducing gender-based violence against women; and providing holistic housing services. To date, over 90 percent of Food Business Pathways graduates are women.

NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability supports residents through programs focused on employment and career advancement, adult education and vocational training, financial empowerment, and resident business development. REES connects residents to a wide array of services in their neighborhoods through partnerships with local organizations. Since their inception, a total of 462 NYCHA residents and Section 8 voucher holders have graduated from the Authority’s Business Pathways programs, including the Food and Childcare Business Pathways programs.

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About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1935 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 528,105 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA has 177,569 apartments in 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments. In addition, NYCHA connects residents to critical programs and services from external and internal partners, with a focus on economic opportunity, youth, seniors, and social services. With a housing stock that spans all five boroughs, NYCHA is a city within a city.