While there are perks to living in the picturesque Rockaways, there are also some drawbacks: locals say one of them is a lack of healthy food options.

“I believe Rockaway can be labeled as a food desert as well,” Juvie Ann Alfeche, the public program coordinator at RISE Rockaway, said. “There’s just like, there’s a lot of bodegas. There’s stores here, but they don’t really offer fresh produce.”

Enter RISE Rockaway. RISE is short for Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability & Equity. The nonprofit runs a community-supported agriculture program to connect its neighbors with fresh fruits and vegetables. The team also has other initiatives to advocate for a stronger, more sustainable peninsula.

Jacqueline Duke is one of the CSA volunteers.

“I can’t even put a price on it,” she said. “Within this neighborhood, there aren’t any fresh vegetables, no produce stands. It’s invaluable.”

The Arverne resident started volunteering with RISE’s CSA program last year. She packs and hands out food to customers. 

“I like what RISE does for the community,” Duke said. “And when I decided I was going to do the CSA, I figured it was a chance for me to join in,” Duke said.

The nonprofit appreciated it so much they asked Duke to volunteer in their flu and COVID vaccine advocacy. Duke encouraged others to get their shots.

“I think that a lot of people don’t get the vaccines,” she said. “They don’t trust it. So I felt it was my need to go around and tell people that they need to get vaccinated.”

“She’s just a really great person,” Alfeche said. “She has a really great energy, really great personality. She’s very warm.”

Now, Duke is back at the CSA. She gets fresh produce herself and gives others the tools to take care of themselves.

“I’m hoping to encourage people to eat better. That’s basically all I can, you know, I can think of,” she said.

For helping the Rockaways make healthy choices, Jacqueline Duke is our New Yorker of the Week.