Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) is a community-building organization that plans, promotes, coordinates and advances responsible development to revitalize Jamaica and strengthen the region. Marshaling the resources of the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth. Greater Jamaica Development Corporation designed and developed Jamaica Market, a combination food court, farmers’ market, and office space that created 70 permanent jobs. The market is an incubator for women and minority-run businesses.

GJDC used HFFI financing to implement the Queens Healthy Corner Store Initiative, a community-based food financing and economic development strategy in three low-income neighborhoods in Queens, New York. The Queens Healthy Corner Store Initiative creates increased access to healthy, affordable food, and it will create 40 new job opportunities. GJDC partnered with Public Health Solutions and Food Access Concepts to implement the Initiative. 

Projected Impacts

•    40 jobs created in Queens
•    Opening of three new Healthy Corner Stores in the Jamaica, Corona, and Flushing neighborhoods in Queens within walking distance to WIC Centers
•    Long-term reduction of child and adult obesity rates in these communities
•    Encouraging the purchase of healthy food through outreach and education efforts to inform residents on how healthy foods can be incorporated into their diets
•    Increased access to healthy, affordable food in these communities, especially for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants and other low-income residentsSource of money: HFFI CED Program; Fiscal year(s): 2013

a community-based food financing and economic development strategy in three low-income neighborhoods in Queens, New York. The Queens Healthy Corner Store Initiative creates increased access to healthy, affordable food, and it will create 40 new job opportunities. GJDC partnered with Public Health Solutions and Food Access Concepts to implement the Initiative.

Projected Impacts

• 40 jobs created in Queens
• Opening of three new Healthy Corner Stores in the Jamaica, Corona, and Flushing neighborhoods in Queens within walking distance to WIC Centers
• Long-term reduction of child and adult obesity rates in these communities
• Encouraging the purchase of healthy food through outreach and education efforts to inform residents on how healthy foods can be incorporated into their diets
• Increased access to healthy, affordable food in these communities, especially for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants and other low-income residents

Source of money: HFFI CED Program; Fiscal year(s): 2013