The bronx is well known for being one of the least healthy counties in new york state, ranking 62ND out of 62 counties for various health disparities

Many of these health conditions can be linked to not having access to healthy, fresh, affordable food such as; obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and many more. The bronx canasta project, named for the basket used at markets in some spanish speaking countries, is to help gather provide and connect community members to healthier food choices. The bronx is home to ethnically diverse people and much community land. These resources will help US address the health disparities. We have access to community gardens and urban farms that, if utilized and managed in a food systems way, can help to alleviate the lack of healthy food access. Connecting families and residents of all ages to value-addedproducts that are produced locally will enable bronx residents to participate in the revolution for a better, wholesome food system. Our research will identify the most valuable products to grow, produce, and sell. IT will inform the growers and the managers of the program. And, IT will produce evidence for (or against) the effectiveness of the program.collection of data will result in a report about the bronx canasta program for our funders and for the growers and managers of the partnering agencies. We will collect three kinds of data:1. Records - we will identify the income and expenses of the program through the financial records and use the results to do analysis of the program's cost efficiency and financial sustainability.2. Questionnaires / surveys - we will use surveys to collect data from bronx residents about what type value-added products they would like to see at the markets. In addition we will illicit preferences using a popcorn style of survey stopping people at random as they visit the farmers markets and gardens to ask about their preferences. Finally we will as questions about preference during pre and post testing at our educational activities (cooking and nutrition classes). This information will be used to improve the value added products.3. Interview /observations / focus group - we will engage the growers and program managers to do observation of the items they grow. They will share this information through individual interviews with the program coordinator and in focus groups with multiple growers and managers. This information will be used to improve the program and the products.bronx canasta project ultimate goal is to use a collaborative approach to create avenues to increase food production, create value-added products, build skills and generate income for the community residents of the bronx. This work will reduce the level of food insecurity in the bronx communities.