Feeding New York: The Hidden Burden on the South Bronx

New York City’s food supply chain relies on a distribution system dependent on diesel trucks, creating compounding environmental and economic burdens in the South Bronx. This session, hosted by independent researcher Dan DeWitz, examines Hunts Point—home to the city’s largest wholesale food distribution hub—through the intersecting lenses of air quality, poverty, and climate risk. Participants will learn to critically evaluate environmental data, test the statistical significance of neighborhood-level air quality differences, and understand the limitations of relying on existing monitoring systems as “ground truth.”

Looking forward, the session explores policy alternatives to the current model. By mapping Metro-North and LIRR rail lines alongside regional farmland and underserved communities, we will examine the untapped potential of existing transit infrastructure to reduce diesel emissions and improve food access. With portions of Hunts Point projected to flood under future climate scenarios, change is not just desirable—it is inevitable.

This event is ideal for anyone interested in environmental justice, urban planning, transportation policy, food systems, or applied data science. Whether you are a community advocate, policymaker, student, or curious New Yorker, you will leave with a deeper understanding of the data behind urban inequality and practical frameworks for solutions.