When we think of Westchester County, we picture tree-lined streets, farmers’ markets, and every grocery store you could imagine. But here’s the surprising truth: not every family here has easy access to healthy food. Some neighborhoods in our own county are considered “food deserts.”
What is a food desert?
A food desert is a community where residents have limited access to supermarkets and grocery stores. It usually means families rely on convenience stores, bodegas, or fast-food chains to feed themselves and their children. Those places might be easy to get to, but they don’t always carry fresh produce or lean proteins.
Where this shows up in Westchester.
Even though we’re close to New York City and surrounded by plenty of wealth, not every town has equal access. Parts of Mount Vernon, Yonkers, and New Rochelle have been identified as areas where families face real barriers to getting healthy food. Transportation plays a huge role. If you don’t have a car, imagine trying to bring groceries home on a bus, especially when your children are with you. That’s the reality for many parents here.
Why it matters for moms and families.
- Health: Kids growing up without access to fresh foods are at higher risk for obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.
- Cost: Families often end up paying more for packaged and processed foods.
- Stress: When finding dinner becomes a daily challenge, it adds to the mental load we’re already carrying.
The good news: local solutions are here.
Westchester has incredible organizations working to close these gaps, and there are real ways for us to get involved.
For families who need immediate access, Feeding Westchester runs mobile food pantries across the county. You’ll find one at the New Rochelle YMCA every second Thursday of the month, at Macedonia Baptist Church in Mount Vernon on the third Wednesday, and at Nodine Hill Community Center in Yonkers on the second and fourth Fridays. The Ossining Food Pantry also partners with Feeding Westchester to host a mobile pantry twice a month. These trucks don’t just hand out canned goods, but also bring fresh produce, dairy, and proteins right into neighborhoods.
If you’re looking for a more long-term commitment, joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is another way to support local farms and bring home fresh, seasonal produce. Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights offers a flexible “market-style” CSA where members shop with credits, while Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem has a traditional weekly share. Roxbury Farm delivers to pickup spots in Mount Kisco and Pleasantville, and Folkways CSA provides certified organic shares in Northern Westchester and Putnam. Some CSAs even offer discounted options for lower-income families.
And then there are the food pantries that quietly serve thousands of families each week. The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry provides food to more than 700 families, while Hope Community Services in New Rochelle not only runs a pantry but also serves hot meals in its soup kitchen. The Ossining Food Pantry, Salvation Army in New Rochelle, and Saint Paul Refuge Tabernacle Church also provide regular pantry services where families can pick up groceries.
How moms can make a difference.
- Volunteer: These pantries and mobile markets always need help packing and distributing food.
- Donate: Nonperishable foods and monetary donations go directly to families in our county.
- Support local farms: By joining a CSA, you strengthen Westchester’s food system and keep fresh produce flowing.
- Advocate: Talk about food deserts with friends, neighbors, and even your kids. Raising awareness is the first step toward change.
The bottom line.
Food deserts aren’t just a far-away problem. They exist right here in Westchester, affecting families like ours. But the resources are out there, and when we pitch in, whether by donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, we help make sure every child in our county has the chance to grow up healthy and nourished.
