Innovative Storage for Market Produce

Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves underrepresented communities in Harlem and the Bronx by running seasonal farmers’ markets, a Community Supported Agriculture program, youth training and education, and sustainability initiatives that improve equitable access to fresh, affordable produce.

Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project (UBHP) aims to scale its impact through the purchase of a refrigerated van, addressing a critical need for mobile cold storage and transportation. This investment represents a strategic next step, offering greater operational flexibility, reduced food spoilage, and improved logistics for delivering local produce directly to underserved communities. Unlike a stationary refrigerated container, the van provides dual functionality—storage and distribution—while requiring less upfront investment and fewer location-based hurdles. It supports UBHP’s mission to serve minority farmers in Upstate New York and residents of Harlem and the Bronx, helping bridge the gap caused by systemic disinvestment and infrastructure inequality.

The refrigerated van allows UBHP to grow its CSA and farm stand programs by enabling real-time pickups, adjusting routes based on demand, and expanding outreach to new partners like schools and health centers. This mobile model positions UBHP uniquely in a competitive market, offering culturally relevant, SNAP-accessible produce alongside education, youth engagement, and bilingual support—services not offered by mainstream grocers, CSA boxes, or other markets.

While high upfront and ongoing costs—fuel, maintenance, insurance, and staffing—pose challenges, UBHP will mitigate risks through preventive maintenance, staff training, strategic hiring, and logistical partnerships. The team will also address gaps in staffing, scheduling, and farmer coordination through the addition of a full-time operations coordinator and expanded part-time support.

Ultimately, this growth opportunity strengthens local food infrastructure, creates a scalable model for equitable food distribution, and moves UBHP closer to a resilient food system rooted in community health, empowerment, and sustainability.

UBHP is seeking $100,000 in funding to implement and sustain a refrigerated van program that will enhance its seasonal food distribution model. This investment will cover the purchase of a refrigerated van, installation and upkeep of the refrigeration system, and ongoing operational costs including fuel, insurance, and maintenance. It will also support hiring a full-time operations coordinator, a trained van driver, and part-time staff to assist with food handling and distribution, as well as engage interns through workforce development programs. Funds will be used to implement technology upgrades for inventory tracking, vehicle telematics, and digital evaluation tools. Additionally, UBHP will conduct ongoing evaluations using process, outcome, and cost-benefit metrics—such as pounds of produce transported, food waste reduction, and economic gains for farmers—to ensure efficiency, equity, and community accountability. This investment will increase UBHP’s capacity to deliver fresh, local produce across Harlem and the Bronx, reduce spoilage, and lay the groundwork for future mobile market expansion.

Learn more: https://ubhealthyproject.org/freshstorage-initiative/