FOLLOWING THEIR PUSH, SCHUMER, TORRES ANNOUNCE $110 MILLION FED INVESTMENT IN HUNTS POINT MARKET MODERNIZATION; REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT WILL CREATE NEW GOOD-PAYING JOBS, SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES, STRENGTHEN FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN, REDUCE DIESEL EMISSIONS & MORE

Schumer, Torres Supported City’s App For Fed Funding To Bolster Resiliency & Meet Region’s Growing Food Demands; Hunts Point Produce Market Services Supermarkets, Hotels, Restaurants, Bodegas & More

Project Will Expand Refrigeration Capacity & Eliminate Usage of Diesel-Operated Refrigeration Units, Reducing Diesel Emissions For South Bronx Residents

Schumer, Torres: These Fed Funds Will Spur Hunts Point Market Transformation To Support Regional Food Supply Chain, Environmental Concerns, & Alleviate Local Health Impacts

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Ritchie Torres announced $110 million in federal funding to redevelop Hunts Point Produce Market. Schumer and Torres support New York City’s efforts to redevelop Hunts Point Market into a modern and resilient wholesale produce distribution facility that will strengthen the tristate area’s food supply chain, as well as support current jobs, create new jobs and boost small businesses.

As they said last month while making the case for the Market’s modernization, Hunts Point Produce Market provides 25% of New York City’s produce and feeds New Yorkers and the greater metro area. Additionally, the Market is responsible for over 8,000 jobs and its redevelopment will support these jobs as well as new, good-paying jobs. 

“Congressman Torres and I know how vital Hunts Point Market is to New York City’s food supply chain, but it needs a critical modernization and redevelopment to sustain the community and chart an even better future. Now, with the $110 million in fed funds I am announcing today, revitalization of the market is one giant step closer. These funds will help increase food security, meet growing food demands, maintain and produce new good-paying jobs, reduce diesel emissions in an area with a sky-high asthma rate, and so much more. I strongly supported New York City’s application for federal funds and was proud to join Congressman Torres, Teamsters Local 202, Hunts Point merchants, and all those central to the operation of Hunts Point Market in the push to achieve today’s win,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer.

“Hunts Point Market is the lifeblood of food distribution to NYC and the greater region. Federal investment is crucial to keep up with demands and bring the market into the 21st century. I am proud to partner with Senator Schumer in securing $110 million to finally provide the market with the infrastructure investment it deserves. Revitalization of the market will support food infrastructure while also creating new union jobs, reducing emissions, and increasing food security. I plan to continue to fight alongside Senator Schumer and the teamsters to ensure the market receives the entirety of funding necessary to complete the modernization of the Hunts Point Terminal Market,” said Congressman Ritchie Torres.

The Hunts Point Terminal Cooperative Produce Market (the “Market”) is an agricultural wholesale produce market operating on a 112-acre site in the Bronx. Opened in 1967, the Market is the largest produce market in the country. The market is home to over 30 merchants, ranging from small to large firms. The market captures an estimated $2 to $2.3 billion in revenue per year, or 22% of regional wholesale produce sales. Operating 24 hours a day, five days a week, the Market provides fresh produce to approximately 23,000 restaurants and 2,500 green grocers. 

Schumer and Torres explained that the Market’s facilities have continued in service without substantial upgrade for over 50 years. It has insufficient refrigeration capacity and must rely on hundreds of diesel-powered trailers for refrigeration, running on a continuous basis in warm weather. This project will remove the diesel-powered refrigeration trailers, therefore reducing diesel emissions in the community. The revitalization of Hunts Point Market includes building a new produce facility, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and redeveloping a nearby road to accommodate and improve the flow of traffic.