Banana Kelly’s Healthy Communities initiative was established to create new and improved healthy food outlets and venues for our residents and to build individual capacity to make their own using healthier choices. It was also established to educate residents and the community at large on nutrition and healthy food options. The program is also connecting unemployed or underemployed individuals to job training and employment that will make healthy food more affordable and available. Finally, the program provides access to support services to residents such as health screenings, enrollment in health related programs and implements a comprehensive neighborhood outreach and awareness campaign. The initiative is being funded by our main partner NYC LISC. In fact the initiative grew out of a project that began several years ago when LISC asked us to become involved in HUD’s Healthy Communities initiative for the Mott Haven Houses (in partnership with NYCHA). Another partner is the New York Common Pantry, which is opening a pantry in 2017. The pantry will be located in our Longwood neighborhood and have a mobile van that will travel throughout the area.