An estimated 1.4 million New Yorkers are food insecure, according to the latest data from nonprofit City Harvest.
And in East Harlem, which has a majority Hispanic and Black population, an estimated 22.4% of residents face food insecurity.
While large-scale efforts to confront gaps in access to healthy food persist throughout the city — including food bank operations and potentially city-subsidized grocery stores — mutual aid and community-led food distribution are vital to ensure everyone has enough to eat.
It’s something the 155th Street Fridge has been doing for nearly six years. Local Stéphanie Tonnoir founded the project in 2020 and has since hosted weekly distributions every Saturday on 155th Street and 8th Avenue in Harlem.
The fridge is located at the Boys and Girls Club and is run by volunteer neighbors and teens from the neighboring Polo Ground Projects. One favorite volunteer is Juanita, a scrappy and joyful woman often seen wearing a pair of headphones over her beanie and directing traffic at the fridge.
“We do this each and every Saturday; I want y’all to come out and enjoy,” Juanita said in a TikTok this summer. “We have plenty of food to give … we all family out here.”
The fridge rescues fresh produce from local supermarkets, including organic items, and also partners with local businesses to stock fresh-pressed juices and pre-portioned meals when possible.
“All of this was headed for the trash — not because it wasn’t fresh, but because supermarkets overproduce,” Juanita shared on an Instagram Story recently, over a photo of a lush basket of fruits and vegetables.
“Meanwhile, so many of our Harlem neighbors need healthy, affordable food. That gap is why we started our community fridge six years ago: to rescue what’s still good and share it with love.”
Every weekend, regular volunteers help distribute the food, while a line of New Yorkers forms promptly at 11 a.m. From there, it’s an assembly line of helpers until the fridge is empty.
“What are we doing here?” one young boy said to another in a TikTok posted by the group.
“Giving food to people that need it,” he replied.
“Why?” the other boy asked.
His friend looked at him incredulously: “‘Cause why not?”
As long as they have the inventory, every person in line gets an entire grocery bag or box filled to the brim with offerings.
While the group does not post too many updates on its social media pages, it has become a reliable staple for the Harlem community, with community members showing up, both as volunteers and recipients, week to week.
“The 155th Street Fridge has grown to become one of the largest and most reliable food pantries in the area,” the Instagram page NYC Locals shared. “They have never unplugged the fridge since they started and remain committed to their mission.”
Those who want to support the mission of the community fridge can donate via CashApp or Venmo.
“We want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and support,” the group shared in an Instagram post last year. “We won't stop. Harlem is lit.”
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Header image courtesy of 155th Street Fridge/Instagram
