Gordon Turner isn’t just handing out fresh produce. He’s also sharing a positive attitude.

“It in the Bible,” Turner said. “Say it to love your brother. And even though I don’t know the community that well. But I do love ‘em.” 

Turner is a volunteer with City Harvest’s Washington Heights/Inwood Mobile Market. The nonprofit distributes thousands of pounds of food to people who need it in Upper Manhattan during its two monthly pantry pop-ups. 

“We all have to help each other,” Turner said. “If there’s no help, there’s going to be hate. So when I give back, hopefully somebody can give back to me or others.”

Turner first came to the market 23 years ago in the spring of 2001 — not as a volunteer but as a food recipient. That’s when Turner’s lifetime of service, helping neighbors research housing issues and his parents’ advice echoed in his head.

“They always say it’s better to give than to receive,” he said. “And I’ve been helping people ever since.”

The following month, he both received food at the mobile market and became a volunteer himself. 

Twenty-three years later, Turner is still a constant here, pitching in anywhere he can. He is especially proud to show off City Harvest’s healthy cooking demos, which he says helps him manage his diabetes.

“Well, I was 300 the beginning of this year, but now I’m 260, so they help me quite, quite a lot,” Turner said. “It’s important you get to help us not only learn how to cook the right way but also to take in the food nutrients that we need in order to help us health wise.” 

It’s an effort he hopes will help his community both physically and emotionally.

“They give first food, fresh nutrients and help nourishment nourish the bodies,” Turner said.

For sharing healthy food and a healthy mindset with his neighbors, Gordon Turner is our New Yorker of the Week.