Press Release: City Planning Launches New Map on FRESH Food Stores - DCP

Department of City Planning


DepartmentCommissionNews & EventsContact Us

Press Releases
Testimony and Comments

Press Releases

Testimony and Comments


Press Releases

For Immediate Release
August 2, 2019

Contacts:
Rachaele Raynoff, Joe Marvilli – press@planning.nyc.gov (212) 720-3471

City Planning Launches New Map on FRESH Food Stores

Supermarket Needs Index offers analysis of existing grocery stores and supermarkets, as well as underserved areas, across all New York City neighborhoods

NEW YORK - Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Marisa Lago today announced the launch of the Supermarket Needs Index, an interactive map showing access to fresh food stores throughout New York City - and what neighborhoods remain underserved. This webtool will inform communities of nearby grocery stores and supermarkets, as well as help the City determine where improved and expanded City zoning and tax incentives of the FRESH program can promote the creation of more fresh-food supermarkets.

“Existing FRESH locations are literally bearing fruit and vegetables!” said DCP Director Marisa Lago. “This new digital tool empowers communities to directly assess their need for fresh food retailers – and then advocate for FRESH designation. The FRESH program works, so DCP is especially pleased to be working with the Deputy Mayor’s Office and the City Council to make FRESH even better, ensuring that more families have easy access to good, healthy food.”

The Index, comprised of important factors (such as concentration of stores, walkability, access to car, presence of families with children in poverty), helps communities, policy researchers and supermarket operators evaluate the number of additional stores necessary to meet the needs of the area.

FRESH projects completed and open to the public provide nearly 860,000 square feet of new or renovated grocery store space, are estimated to retain more than 600 jobs and create about 900 new jobs, and represent an investment of approximately $140 million across the City. But despite this increase in FRESH stores, many New York City neighborhoods remain underserved.

City Planning is working closely with the New York City Council to study potential geographic expansion of FRESH zoning incentives to low- and moderate-income neighborhoods where:

The Index shows a demonstrated need to facilitate fresh food stores and

Zoning and appropriate tax incentives can successfully incentivize development of grocery stores

A team comprised of city planners, economic experts and City Council members is examining how FRESH zoning has worked to date to determine how it could be updated, including reducing approval time. In addition, new rules would distinguish between supermarkets in new construction versus renovation of existing buildings, responding to observations of how the current rules are working, or not working well. The team is exploring potential reductions in required parking where appropriate, and considering a provision to apply for additional height for supermarkets in some underserved neighborhoods.

Going forward, City Planning will work with elected officials and stakeholders to build consensus around the most effective strategies for updating and expanding the program to meet the needs of communities for fresh food stores.

Department of City Planning
The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.