MOHAMED FARGHALY & SIERRA RYAN

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

A new community initiative aims to combat food insecurity and chronic disease in parts of Queens and Brooklyn by bringing fresh, affordable produce directly to residents.

The Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center has partnered with The Campaign Against Hunger to launch the Fresh Vibes Mobile Farmers Market, a monthly mobile market offering locally-sourced fruits and vegetables at low prices.

Renee Hastick-Motes, the Chief Executive Officer of The Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center, explained how the partnership with The Campaign Against Hunger came about. Noting that about 11% of Queens residents and 18% of those in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where their sites are located, have been diagnosed with diabetes, Moats said the collaboration aims to address these health concerns by providing fresh fruits and vegetables through a mobile market. “It’s really a community partnership to help target a specific concern in our community,” she said. The Fresh Vibes Mobile Farmers Market will visit each of the center’s five sites monthly, with information about upcoming events shared through the health center’s Instagram and website.

The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH) is a leading anti-hunger nonprofit in New York City, committed to ending hunger and advancing community health through equitable food access. With a mission to empower vulnerable New Yorkers to live healthier, more self-sufficient lives, TCAH provides nutritious food and essential resources with compassion and dignity. Through its robust network of pantries and a streamlined food distribution center, TCAH delivered groceries for over 20 million meals in the first year of its expanded model. This strategic approach not only addresses food insecurity but also promotes long-term wellness by improving access to healthier food options across underserved communities.

The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH) began over two decades ago when CEO and founder Dr. Melony Samuels started by helping a single mother struggling to feed her four children. From those early days serving just 50 families in a Brooklyn church basement, TCAH has grown into one of New York City’s leading food security organizations, providing over 35 million nutritious meals annually to more than 2 million residents since the pandemic began. Despite its growth, the organization remains committed to empowering clients with dignity, addressing hunger and poverty through holistic, tailored services that not only provide food but also support pathways to self-sufficiency. Recognizing the complexity of these challenges, TCAH offers interconnected programs designed to tackle the root causes of poverty and build lasting community health.

The initiative, which kicked off this month, is designed to increase access to healthy food in neighborhoods where affordable fresh produce is limited. The market offers a rotating selection of items including pineapples, strawberries, avocados, eggplants, lemons, and oranges, along with yogurt, beans, eggs, and honey—all sold at prices often lower than area supermarkets. Produce is typically priced between $1 and $3.50, with deals such as apples three for $1.

The collaboration also supports preventive healthcare. Patients at the Addabbo Health Center who complete annual physicals and screenings receive a $25 voucher to use at the mobile market.

“I was able to buy everything I needed for my family without spending too much,” said Ferya, a local resident who attended the first market event in Jamaica on May 22 at 114-39 Sutphin Blvd,  “It’s a big help.” 

The food initiative comes amid ongoing concerns about diet-related illnesses. According to health experts, diets rich in fruits and vegetables are linked to lower risks of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and some cancers.

Local resident Myra McLeod praised the Fresh Vibes Mobile Farmers Market for bringing much-needed affordable produce to the neighborhood. “There’s not that many fresh vegetables around here, and we tell people to eat properly—so this is a great idea. I love it,” she said. McLeod added that the prices were a major benefit, noting she spent just $8 on items that would typically cost her $20 at a supermarket. “The prices are great,” she said.

The Fresh Vibes Mobile Farmers Market will be held once a month, with future dates and locations available through both organizations’ websites.

Jamaica resident Francis shared how she learned about the Fresh Vibes Mobile Farmers Market during a recent appointment at the health center, where she was given a voucher to shop at the event. She appreciated the freshness and variety of the produce, noting she wished she had come better prepared to take more home. Francis was excited to try some new items like apple butter and especially valued the affordable prices, pointing out that bananas and plantains are usually much more expensive at the supermarket. “It’s good, it’s affordable, it’s reachable—you can just come here and get it,” she said.

The Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving Southeast Queens and Red Hook, Brooklyn. It provides comprehensive, value-based care and is committed to improving community health outcomes through integrated services and outreach initiatives. For more information, visit www.addabbo.org and tcahnyc.org. 

ALICE MORENO

news@queensledger.com

Elder abuse is an unfortunate reality that many face. According to the National Council on Aging, studies show that during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 1 out of 5 adults reported elder abuse. In another study, 1 out of 24 cases of abuse was reported. 

Sunnyside Community Center (SCS) is doing all it can to help elders get the justice they deserve. 

On Thursday, April 3, SCS held a press conference to learn more about the Elder Justice Program’s support services. With speakers such as Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Commissioner of the NYC Department for the Aging, Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, guests learned about the resources offered and how city officials will help combat this issue.

“I want to make sure that you understand that you can trust the process,” said Queens District Attorney Katz during her speech. “That we will prosecute those [who] are coming after the elderly, and we will make sure that they are accountable for that crime. But you need to trust that we will do that.”

The SCS offers help to elders located in Western Queens (Community Districts 1-7 and 11), and —  according to their press release — includes services such as: case assistance, counseling, crisis intervention, support groups, benefits enrollment, transportation assistance, referral to legal resources, and assistance with security, such as replacing locks. They offer services in Spanish and Mandarin as well, with staff members who understand cultural differences and language barriers. 

Launette Billups, a 74-year-old single mother of six, shared her story during the press conference. One of her children suffered from mental health issues, and Billups, who was facing abuse during her child’s episode, had called the police. She eventually received a phone call from SCS, offering their help and services to her. A year later, Billups thanks the SCS for their support. 

“​​Here I am today, almost a year later. My journey at the Elder Justice Program has been very beneficial, but it was one of the hardest things I had to do, because I don’t worry about being safe, but I still have a child that has mental illness and society would like to put her in jail,” said Billups as she described her story. “My fight is not over, and my fight is not ended, but at least I know that I have a safe space, and I have people here in my corner that’s going to advise you, and all I have to do is speak up.”

According to Shyvonne Noboa, the Associate Executive Director of Older Adult Services at SCS, there are various warning signs of elder abuse. These include restricting access to money, such as from their Social Security Income, closely monitoring their whereabouts, isolating elders from leading their normal lives, and verbal, physical, and/or mental abuse. All calls are confidential, giving survivors the safe space they need to combat abuse. 

Funded by the New York City Committee on Aging, the SCS works tirelessly to help elders in need escape their abusive situations. They hope to listen and understand what each individual is going through, giving them a space and resources to get through each situation safely. Though they understand the difficulties of opening up about being abused, as it is severely underreported, SCS urges those to call 911 or go to the hospital, since they are willing to help. 

“My advice to [those who are victims of abuse] would be when they’re ready to say, ‘I need help,’ to trust that they call Sunny Side Community Services,” said Noboa. “We’re going to listen, we’re going to give them the space that they need, and we’re going to connect them with resources and services to value them and treat them with dignity and respect.”

MTA Buses in Flushing, Queens

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has released the final version of its Queens Bus Network Redesign, marking a major overhaul of bus service across the borough — and one of the most ambitious transit restructuring efforts in the city’s history.

The new plan, which has been years in the making, aims to modernize bus routes to better reflect the current travel patterns of Queens residents. Beginning this summer, sweeping changes will be implemented in two phases — on June 29 and August 31 — to streamline service, improve reliability, and shorten travel times for riders.

Under the redesign, the number of total routes will grow from 113 to 124, consisting of 94 local routes and 30 express or “rush” routes. These routes fall into four main categories: Local Routes that connect neighborhoods; Limited Routes, which offer faster connections along key corridors; Rush Routes, designed to move riders from neighborhoods to major hubs; and Select Bus Service (SBS)/Crosstown Routes, which operate as bus rapid transit on high-demand routes with limited stops.

“800,000 Queens residents depend on our buses every day, and we owe it to them to find new ways to speed service,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “No matter what else is going on in New York right now, the new MTA is listening to our customers and delivering bus speed improvements – whether it’s by transformative redesign of the bus network, Automated Camera Enforcement, or congestion pricing.”

MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber, NYCT President Demetrius Crichlow, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announce the two-phase implementation of the Queens Bus Network Redesign at Queens Borough Hall on Monday, Apr 7, 2025. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

In Phase One, the MTA will launch 16 new routes, modify 67 existing ones, and discontinue five. Phase Two will bring one new route, changes to 37 existing routes, and the discontinuation of one.

The finalized plan follows years of planning and public outreach. Since 2019, the MTA has hosted more than 250 events and collected roughly 18,000 comments from riders, elected officials, and community members. The plan was formally approved by the MTA Board in January 2025.

“Starting this summer, bus riders in Queens will get to experience an enhanced, efficient and modern bus network, holistically designed for the future, not the past,” said NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We are proud to support the implementation of this redesign in partnership with the MTA to deliver enhanced bus service and bus stops for Queens riders, and we will continue to develop and implement bus priority projects that complement the Network Redesign service changes.”

The MTA has rolled out a suite of digital tools to help riders navigate the upcoming changes. A new route look-up tool at mta.info/queensbus allows riders to check specific route changes and timing, with translation features powered by Google Translate. Riders can also preview the new network using Remix, an interactive mapping tool, or explore their future commute using the Future Trip Planner, which shows trip options based on the fully implemented network.

In preparation for the changes, NYC DOT is currently updating signage at bus stops across Queens. GAR boxes — the permanent information panels at bus stops — will soon display redesign-specific updates, and signage inside buses and subways is also being rolled out. Onboard announcements and community outreach, including pop-up events and presentations to community boards, are part of an education campaign that began earlier this year.

Transit officials say the project will deliver clear benefits for riders: improved neighborhood connections, simplified routes, increased service frequency, and more consistent spacing between stops — all of which are expected to result in faster, more reliable service. Key corridors will also benefit from Bus Priority Projects, which aim to reduce delays and improve the overall rider experience.

“The Queens Bus Network Redesign is a game-changer for the 800,000 borough residents who ride an MTA bus each day. As we prepare for the official rollout of the redesign this summer to speed up commutes and make our system easier to navigate, I encourage all our straphangers in Queens to get informed on potential changes to your most frequently used routes,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “I was proud to work hand-in-hand with the MTA and all our partners on this plan and I couldn’t be more excited to see what a world of difference it will make in the daily lives of our neighbors as they travel to work, school and everywhere in between.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announces the two-phase implementation of the Queens Bus Network Redesign at Queens Borough Hall on Monday, Apr 7, 2025. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

While the MTA touts the Queens Bus Network Redesign as a long-awaited step toward modernization, some longtime residents remain skeptical about its actual impacts

Michelle Cook Lopez, a lifelong Queens resident and small business owner in Glendale, brings a deeply community-rooted perspective to the Queens Bus Network Redesign. She operates Cook’s Arts and Crafts, a family-run yarn and hobby store that’s been in business since 1970, started by her grandmother. Beyond her store, Michelle is involved in the local American Legion and property owners’ association, giving her a strong pulse on neighborhood concerns. From her apartment above the store, she’s witnessed firsthand how essential accessible transit is for her community, particularly for seniors, families, and people with limited mobility. “I saw it posted with a link of which bus stops they were going to be taking out, and I took a look at it, and I said, well, that’s stupid, because they’re taking away the one closest to CVS drugstore in Glendale.”

While Michelle acknowledges that some changes to the bus network might be justified—especially stops that are unusually close together or in low-traffic areas—she’s particularly concerned about the removal of key stops in Glendale along the Q55 route. One is near the CVS drugstore, a lifeline for many elderly residents who may struggle with the added distance. Another is in front of Ideal Supermarket, which she sees as not only a blow to local businesses but also a challenge for shoppers managing groceries. Michelle emphasized she’s not just thinking of herself, “I can walk a bit of ways, I don’t mind so much for me personally, but a lot of seniors in the area use CVS, and now they’re going to have to walk an extra two to three blocks to get to the nearest bus stop.”

Linda Zimmer, a longtime Queens resident from Middle Village, has called the borough home for 67 years. Now retired, Linda once relied daily on the Q38 bus to connect her to the M train for her commute. Though no longer traveling for work, she still depends on that route for everyday errands. With the upcoming Queens Bus Network Redesign, Linda is facing a new challenge: her local stop on Juniper Valley Road is being eliminated, forcing her to walk nearly half a mile through the park to reach the next available stop on Eliot Avenue. “I used to just walk to the corner,” she says, noting that the increased distance is especially tough for seniors like herself — particularly with two bad knees and the added obstacles of navigating through parks filled with bikes and scooters. For Linda, the redesign feels less like a modernization and more like a disruption to the routines and mobility many longtime residents rely on.

Customers are encouraged to visit www.mta.info/project/queens-bus-network-redesign/service-changes for more information to see if their route has been affected and to stay informed ahead of the upcoming launch dates.

The first phase of service changes takes effect on Sunday, June 29, followed by the second phase on Sunday, August 31, or the next regular service day.