The NGO Change Food for Food has launched an initiative under the slogan “If you need it, take it,” which is becoming a success on the streets of the Bronx. It involves the installation of a completely free vending machine with no bureaucratic paperwork. According to Good, Good, Good, the first machine was installed at the beginning of November at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx, one of the areas most affected by food insecurity.
Unlike traditional vending machines, this one offers products such as eggs, meat, fruits, vegetables, and other quality groceries. More than 1,100 families have already received over 15,000 pounds of food through the first machine, according to Union Rayo. The idea is expected to thrive, with plans to install machines in places where they can be useful, such as schools or hospitals. They have collaborated with the NGO Change Food for Food @Chipotle, @nyccec, and @kipsbaybgc.
NGO Change Food for Good
According to its official website, “Change Food for Good is a New York City-based nonprofit organization dedicated to making sustainable agricultural technology more accessible to areas affected by food insecurity. We believe we can educate, empower and ultimately, uplift vulnerable communities out of food-insecure states through the use of localized sustainable agriculture and pathways to opportunities in the green sector”.
This NGO has launched an unprecedented initiative in New York City, through which it aims to combat food insecurity. To do this, they have installed a food vending machine that is completely free and requires no bureaucracy. According to Good, Good, Good, the first machine was installed last November at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx, one of the areas most affected by food insecurity.
What does your vending machine offer?
Unlike regular vending machines that sell junk food and sugary drinks, the NGO’s machine aims to transform them into dispensers of fresh food, healthy meals, and teas. The products offered come from the NGO’s hydroponic gardening programs, which have been cultivated by local young people. The selection includes:
- Proteins: Eggs and meat.
- Fresh produce: Fruits and vegetables.
- Other quality foods.
First installation
The NGO’s motto is “If you need it, take it.” It does not require any kind of bureaucratic application (as is the case with SNAP), and it is completely free. The location was not chosen at random; it is a daily meeting point for many families: the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club. The effectiveness and the reflection of the high demand for this type of machine are evident in the more than 15,500 pounds of food that over 1,100 people have already received, according to information published by Union Rayo. Despite the success, work recognizes the ongoing logistical challenge of ensuring constant supply, food freshness, and transportation, all at no cost.
Additionally, they intend for the presence of this type of vending machine to expand to places where it is needed, such as schools or hospitals, adding items like milk and juices, which are not yet offered because they do not fit inside the machine. The NGO is working to introduce new products, and has the collaboration of @Chipotle, @nyccec, and @kipsbaybgc. According to their social media post about it, “We really hope that this machine not only helps the families who need it, but also inspires change-makers, community organizations, and activists to adopt this free distribution model.”