Episode 11: A Food Pantry in Brooklyn

This week on Eating Matters, host Kim Kessler welcomes Dr. Melony Samuels, the Executive Director of the Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger. Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger (BSCAH) is unique amongst the food pantries in Brooklyn as the first “supermarket-style” pantry. The pantry allows customers to select for themselves both fresh fruits and vegetables and nutritious food items from the pantry shelves. Taking a holistic approach to combating hunger, BSCAH also serves our clients through various social services including job training and education referrals, Food Stamps enrollment, cooking classes, summer camps, pre-HIV testing, diabetes and high blood pressure testing, and financial literacy classes. As the largest food pantry in Brooklyn, BSCAH offers a host of vital services to the over 11,000 clients that they serve a month. Kim asks Melony how she got her start and founded the BSCAH and how she has seen positive change for those helped by the BSCAH. After the break, Melony describes the layout of the food pantry, the process of receiving donations, and her thoughts on current food policy. This program was brought to you by Whole Foods Market.

“I wanted to make sure individuals could be served with dignity.” [17:00]

—Dr. Melony Samuels on Eating Matters