As a blustery autumn dawn settles on Schecnk Avenue, the first thing you notice at the East New York Farmer’s Market is the last shopper in a lengthy line that snakes from around New Lots Avenue. For that shopper, it’s going to be a long wait.

Lawrence Cox, a retired East New York native, is at the tail end of the stream of shoppers. He sports a Yankee cap that shields his dark brown eyes from the blinding morning sun, casting a shadow over his worn and wrinkled face.

Cox waits patiently as he has done every Saturday through a 21-person line until he finally reaches the fishmongers’ tent where the morning sea bass catch is scaled and sold.

“I’m here for the market at 8 a.m. and people are lined down the block. I wait for the fish, and my wife gets the vegetables,” said Cox. He gestures toward an elderly woman as she zig-zags down Schecnk Avenue between the tents of 23 local gardeners and three regional farmers.

Cox suffers from cardiovascular arrhythmia – know colloquially as an irregular heartbeat. His chronic condition results from malnutrition induced coronary artery disease, Cox said. He is coming to the farmer’s market to get his poor diet, and consequently his heart disease, under control.

“Without this place here my wife, myself, and many others would be worse off,” said Cox.

Cox is one of nearly 48,000 people in East New York who suffers from cardiovascular disease (CVD), which refers to a class of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels. According to the 2006 East New York community health profile, CVD hospitalizations grew 35 percent since 1996 – 25 percent higher than in Brooklyn, and 35 percent higher than in New York City overall.

The East New York Farmer’s Market, co-founded in 1996 by Cornell University, the Pratt Institute and local farmers, strives to combat these disconcerting statistics. The 20-tent, outdoor market provides fresh, organic, urban-grown produce and locally harvested fish to this malnourished community.

In dozens of inner city areas nation-wide, nutrient rich food is less accessible than processed and nutrient depleted foods. East New York is no exception.

One reason is because the food is grown and harvested far from where it is sold and consumed. Extended transit times between a food source and consumer make heart healthy food difficult to come by, said farmer and market contributor Mike Rowgowski.

“A lot of fruit and vegetables are coming cross-country, or maybe from another country altogether. As food sits, it degenerates and loses nutrients,” said Rowgowski.

And the reason food comes from across the country, Rowgowski said, is simply because it’s cheaper. The result: grocers end up selling produce depleted of nutrients. And a diet deficient in nutrients—such as potassium and magnesium, which are found in bananas and tomatoes—is detrimental to heart health.

Importing produce, Rowgowski explained, is sometimes cheaper for supermarkets than buying locally.

“[Stores] don’t want to buy our produce,” he said. “Although it’s cheap, they can save even just ten cents getting stuff from California or Florida.”

Supermarkets and consumers may have the same hindrances to purchasing local and organic foods — high prices. For many residents in this low-income community, heart-healthy food is too expensive, even at the farmer’s market where one pound of veteables can cost from $3 to $5 dollars.

According to a 2006 New York State Department health study, risk of CVD is doubled for New York residents with an income lower than $25,000. In East New York, that would mean 40 percent of the population is twice as likely develop CVD than average New Yorkers.

Some market shoppers say diminished financial resources are at the root of East New York’s CVD prevalence. Although Mike Rowgoski said locally grown produce is relatively inexpensive, market shopper and mother of two Preme Brewster said for many it is still too much.

“It takes resources to keep your heart-healthy,” said Brewster. “This is a low-income area so people buy what they think is cheap – stuff at the grocery store.”

The New York City government is taking steps to confront cost barriers. In order to alleviate the financial burden on low-income families so they may gain access to heart-healthy food, the Bloomberg Administration created the Healthy Bucks program in 2004.

The initiative provides $4 dollar coupons to eligible individuals to purchase produce at farmer’s markets in lower income neighborhoods such as the East New York.

Farmer’s market representative David Vigil said a positive community health impact is quantified by market income. Between 2007 and 2008, market income grew around 20 percent.

“Income growth indicates the success of our work,” said Vigil. “It tells us how much healthy, local produce is being sold in the community through Healthy Bucks and food stamps to those who need like as senior citizens and needy mothers.”

The local healthy food movement is gaining ground outside the confines of New York City. United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Tuesday morning at a food security conference in Des Moines, Iowa. He said the Obama administration supports local food production and keeping consumers closer to food sources.

“As we focus on health care, and as the health care debate focuses more specifically on prevention and wellness, people are going to be exceedingly interested in fresh food and food that’s nutritious,” said Vilsack last week in an NPR interview.

Prevention and wellness are the very interests East New York Farmer’s Market was founded to satisfy, said market cofounder Johanna Willins.

In 1996, Willins collaborated with the Pratt Institute for Community Development and the Cornell University Cooperative Extension in an effort to address health issues in East New York. The goal was to provide the community with fresh fruits and vegetables that are grown in the heart of Brooklyn using urban gardening techniques.

“People here don’t know what a carrot looks like when it comes up. All they know is a carrot in a can, a pea in a can, spinach in a can,” said Willins. “For heart reasons, you got to get away from the salt and use more herbs for flavoring.”

As a mother, Preme Brewster shares Willins’ zeal for health consciousness. In the Brewster household, cooking with nutrient-rich produce and protein is a priority.

“I want to live a long prosperous life [for my girls],” said Brewster as she shuffles through a wooden barrel of white and yellow ears of corn. “If being healthy means waking up early every Saturday for fresh produce, so be it.”

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Tim Muckell waits to hop into the 2009 ING NYC Marathon

BAY RIDGE, BROOKLYN — At the 10-minute countdown on race day, marathoner Tim Muckell, 26, is not at the starting line. Instead Muckell sits at the bar-counter of a Bay Ridge café, clad in red, white and blue American flag short-shorts and a 2008 ING New York City souvenir shirt.

 

“I’m a vegetarian, so I have spinach, carrots, broccoli,” said Muckell. “I have time until I run so I’m going to load up on food to get me through the race.”

Muckell, who ran in the Marathon last year, was not selected for entry into the 2009 NYC Marathon. According to Muckell, only one in four people are chosen to run in the race through the lottery system.

So Muckell took another approach. As many other runners frequently do, he planned to jump into the race just on the other side of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, two miles into the 26.2-mile marathon.

“I’m just going to hop over the barricade when the runners come by. You’re not really supposed to, but I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity,” said Muckell.

The New York Road Runners Club, the race’s governing body, disapproves of these kinds of tactics. According to its website, course marshals are fierce and relentless about removing  “bandit runners,” who don’t qualify for the race or pay for entry. If there is no visible race bib, a runner is subject to removal.

Keith Kenton of the New York Police Department stood on the corner of Bay Ridge Avenue and Fourth Avenue prepared to prevent unregistered runners like Muckell from racing in one of the world’s largest marathon races. About 40,000 runners, out of an application pool of more than 100,000, participated in this year’s marathon.

“My job is to not let other people into the race,” said Kenton. “There are already so many people and if you don’t belong we don’t want you in there.”

Thousands of registered marathoners streamed down Fourth Avenue with two miles down in the 26.2 mile race

 

 

But despite the presence of police and race authorities, some spectators slipped into the stream of runners. And not all of them were unauthorized racers like Waples. Some simply wanted to support a loved one for part of the route. David Chase, one of the expected 2 million people who will line the marathon course throughout the five boroughs, stood and waited for his friend to pass.

“I’m going out there to support a friend by running 5 miles with her,” said Chase. “I imagine a lot of people would do that.”

For many “bandit runners” the experience of running in the New York Marathon is worth the risk of getting caught.

“When you run into Central Park, that’s when you know this is the best marathon in the world. It’s just remarkable,” said Muckell, as he tied up the laces of his Asics running shoes. “It’s just so surreal.”

Muckell then casually slid over the barricade and took off.

 

 

 

 

By Kelly Koopmans

EAST NEW YORK, BROOKLYN — For the comfortable and opulent in New York City, paying an extra four dollars is often inconsequential. The well-to-do can afford to four-buck shoeshines, triple soy lattes, or bottles of Voss artisan water.  But take the A train downtown to East New York, Brooklyn and the story is a little different. In this time of economic recession, those additional dollars are straining an already financially strapped neighborhood. 

The Twelve Towns YMCA raised their monthly adult membership from 35 to 39 dollars earlier this year. This decision, coupled with the economic recession, appears to be impacting membership numbers. According to branch officials, membership dropped nearly 15 percent within the last year.

Carmen Marrero, a native East New Yorker, lives just one block from the YMCA in a one-bedroom apartment. She joined the club a little less than two years ago, but said personal financial struggles spurred by the recession prevented from her from continuing her membership.

“Something’s going to get cut off,” said Marrero. “You know, with this recession, those 39 dollars will hurt my budget for me doing what I got to do for my needs and to keep a roof over my head.”

Marrero said that despite her personal struggles, she is comparatively lucky. She is an unmarried adult with no children; the membership burden is less severe than it is for most East New York residents.

“It’s easy for me to maintain myself, but there’s a lot of parents who can’t out here,” said Marrero. “Kids get the impact of all this. They’re forced to play in this park, and not in a safe place like the Y.” 

Highland Park unfurls up a sparsely grassed knoll bordering Jamaica Avenue, lofting over the red brick YMCA edifice. Two months ago, less than 50 yards from the gym’s entrance, a woman who authorities describe as a drug-addicted prostitute was found stabbed to death. In May, 30-year-old Carlos Santiago was found stabbed to death one block from the park.

YMCA officials said their goal is for their facility to provide a safe, healthy playing alternative for East New York’s youth. According to the 2000 Census, 32.8 percent of the area population is below age 18.

They YMCA is actively striving to retain both the young and low-income community members, said Programs Director Keith Delph. But Delph said the recession is forcing an unprecedented number of requests for financial assistance.

“This is more of a low income area, and we’ve always seen a steady high number in financial assistance,” said Delph. “But recently, over the last three to six months, there has been a huge increase in requests for assistance.”

Delph said the YMCA has been able to accommodate those who have expressed interest, or are knowledgeable about financial aid applications.  According to an annual financial report, the YMCA Greater New York Area umbrella organization delivered more than $46.6 million in free and subsidized or sponsored programs.

But athletic trainer and YMCA class instructor, Carmen Martinez said sometimes the financial aid is simply not enough. In an area with 46.1% of the population on income support, up from 32% in 2000 according to a 2008 survey, the financial burden is difficult to manage. Recently unemployed regular and long-time members are calling to cancel their memberships, said Martinez.

“I tried to follow up with calling these people and finding out what happened, why they are not coming to class anymore. They all say its because of the economy, they’ve lost their jobs,” said Martinez. They simply cannot pay for the membership.”

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How a family owned flea market is serving its financially strapped community

By Kelly Koopmans

EAST NEW YORK, BROOKLYN – Step through the narrow, wooden doorframe at Louise’s Furniture and Flea Market, and you enter what would be the product of Bed Bath & Beyond meeting your neighborhood hoarder’s garage. 

The drywall ceiling, walls, and linoleum floor resemble a collage – completely overlaid by a hodgepodge of stuff.  Fifty-four-year-old Louise Brown’s diverse collection of merchandise is suffocating.

Jeans, tee shirts and sweatshirts pile chest high on the rectangular center table.  Duffle bags and suitcases dangle from ceiling hooks.  A multitude of shelves brimming with glassware and VHS tapes flank the walls.  The scene would drive a claustrophobe mad.

But however chaotic it may appear, this 40-year, family owned thrift shop operates by a clear purpose in low-income East New York: collect an eclectic array of merchandise from abandoned storage lots and sell it at reasonable prices.

“We get stuff from storage and unclaimed lots,” said Brown.  “We got TVs, toasters, shoes, wedding dresses, you name it.  I got people going to Haiti, Santa Domingo, and Africa bringing me stuff. We got it all.”

Brown slices open a large cardboard moving box marked August 15, #132. It is one of over 150 mini-fridge-sized boxes she buys from storage facilities every other day.  The shipment’s other 149 unopened boxes are stacked like Legos, grazing the ceiling.  She thumbs through the box’s contents: personal files, a child’s doodles, a report card.

“I never know what I’m going to get. We have a lot of memories that come through here,” said Brown.  “In the 28 years since I inherited this business from my father, the shop remains a major part of those memories.  So, we have a responsibility.”

The myriad of floral dish sets and vinyl records bear price tags reflective of the flea market’s mission: two dollars for a dish, three for a record.

Brown said in tough economic times such as these, the suffering neighborhood families need shopping they can afford.  With 27 percent of East New Yorkers making less than 15 thousand dollars annually, Brown said her flea market has become increasingly important.  Earlier this year she opened a box filled with school uniforms, she said.  Each set sold for one dollar. 

“Shorty” Caban echoed Brown. As a mother of two and life long East New York resident, Caban says Louise’s shop benefits families similar to her own and has a recipe for long-term success.

“Hell, yeah!” she said in response to whether the thrift shop can survive the recession.  “Listen, I own these four corners here and I can tell you this shop is different.  I have a son who bought jeans for $150 [in Manhattan].  Here, jeans for ten bucks.”

Caban said she has known the Louise’s family for several years.  It was Louise’s father, Charles Williams, who started this business in 1969 by bringing abandoned furniture in off the street, cleaning it, and selling it, she said.  The flea market gradually expanded from its original location on Pitkin Avenue to additional locations on Rockaway Avenue and here on Liberty Avenue. 

“I have a 30-year-old and a 7-year-old,” said Caban.  “They both grew up in this shop.”

As patrons handle the vinyl records, Marilyn Monroe cutouts, and bible hymnals, a musky scent reminiscent of a grandmother’s high school yearbook is released. But the vivacious and youthful 10-year-old girl aiding customers contrasts this aroma.

Tanira Williams is Louise Brown’s niece.  Dubbed by family members as the third generation destined to run the thrift shop, she spends much of her time in the shop when school is out. 

Tanira said her favorite subject in school is math.  As she approaches an antique Victorian cabinet replete with periwinkle, plum, and emerald colored vases. It is obvious where she gets practice for math class.

“The glass [vases] are my favorite.  When people want to buy one, I know it is five dollars. When they want two, it is ten dollars. It goes on,” said Tanira.

Like the generations preceding her, Tanira may continue the generational dedication to this little world of wonders.  Her smile beams radiantly as just speaking about one day running the shop like “Aunt Louise.” 

“Someday, I will work here,” she said.  Her eyes expose striking maturity.  “I just want to help.”

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