Choosing Healthy and Active Lifestyles for Kids (CHALK) Mobile Market Outreach

COVID19 pandemic. Food insecurity in Northern Manhattan and the outer boroughs is well documented, and has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  CSSC partnered with Choosing Healthy and Active Lifestyles for Kids (CHALK), an obesity prevention program in Northern Manhattan. CSSC volunteers registered families experiencing food insecurity for food distribution at the CHALK mobile markets, which provides fresh fruits, vegetables, and other items free of charge. Students were provided with family contact information on a weekly basis and made calls on Thursdays and Fridays. After registration, families were then eligible for distribution the following Wednesday at a CHALK mobile market. Many CSSC contacted families did not know they were eligible for distribution, or were afraid to leave their house at the time. As a result, Northern Manhattan families were able to obtain fresh foods that are often difficult to find in their respective communities. This project was successful due to wonderful effort from the Spanish speaking volunteers and excellent communication between CHALK and CSSC representatives. Altogether, students made 111 phone calls, helping CHALK serve 581 unique families.